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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

EUVE

Re-entered 31 Jan 2002

EUVE (NORAD 21987, COSPAR 1992-031A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Jan 2002, launched on 7 Jun 1992 on the EUVE mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the DeltaEx programme. The spacecraft was built by FAIR on the MMS bus, with a mass of 3,280 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1992
launched
2002
re-entered
10
years on orbit
3,280
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Jun 1992 · on the EUVE mission
Operational2 Feb 2001 · entered service
Retired2 Feb 2001 · end of operational service
Re-entered31 Jan 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID21987
COSPAR1992-031A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerFAIR
BusMMS
Mass3,280 kg
ProgrammeDeltaEx
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude514 × 527 km
Inclination28.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to EUVE?

EUVE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 31 Jan 2002, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1992. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did EUVE re-enter the atmosphere?

EUVE re-entered on 31 Jan 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built EUVE?

EUVE was operated by GSFC and built by FAIR (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.