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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Geotail

Re-entered 25 Jul 1992

Geotail (NORAD 22049, COSPAR 1992-044A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jul 1992, launched on 24 Jul 1992 on the Geotail mission. It was operated by ISAS as part of the Geotail programme. The spacecraft was built by NEC on the Geotail bus, with a mass of 1,009 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
1992
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,009
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Jul 1992 · on the Geotail mission
Operational28 Nov 2022 · entered service
Retired28 Nov 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Jul 1992 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22049
COSPAR1992-044A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISAS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerNEC
BusGeotail
Mass1,009 kg (640 kg dry)
ProgrammeGeotail
CategorySCI
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude3,906 × 104,552 km
Inclination22.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Geotail?

Geotail re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jul 1992, 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 Geotail re-enter the atmosphere?

Geotail re-entered on 25 Jul 1992, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Geotail?

Geotail was operated by ISAS and built by NEC (J).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-19.