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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ASTRO-D

Re-entered 2 Mar 2001

ASTRO-D (NORAD 22521, COSPAR 1993-011A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Mar 2001, launched on 20 Feb 1993 on the ASTRO-D mission. It was operated by ISASS as part of the ASTRO programme. The spacecraft was built by ISASS? on the ASTRO-D bus, with a mass of 420 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.

1993
launched
2001
re-entered
8
years on orbit
420
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Feb 1993 · on the ASTRO-D mission
Operational16 Jul 2000 · entered service
Retired16 Jul 2000 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Mar 2001 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID22521
COSPAR1993-011A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISASS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerISASS?
BusASTRO-D
Mass420 kg
ProgrammeASTRO
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude537 × 646 km
Inclination31.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ASTRO-D?

ASTRO-D re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Mar 2001, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1993. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ASTRO-D re-enter the atmosphere?

ASTRO-D re-entered on 2 Mar 2001, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ASTRO-D?

ASTRO-D was operated by ISASS and built by ISASS? (J).

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