Telstar 402

Re-entered 13 Nov 2004

Telstar 402 (NORAD 23249, COSPAR 1994-058A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Nov 2004, launched on 9 Sep 1994 on the Telstar 402 mission. It was operated by ATTS as part of the Telstar programme. The spacecraft was built by MMAS on the AS7000 bus, with a mass of 3,331 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.

1994

launched

2004

re-entered

years on orbit

3,331

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Sep 1994 · on the Telstar 402 mission

Operational9 Sep 1994 · entered service

Retired9 Sep 1994 · end of operational service

Re-entered13 Nov 2004 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23249

COSPAR1994-058A

TypeSatellite

OperatorATTS

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerMMAS

BusAS7000

Mass3,331 kg (1,500 kg dry)

ProgrammeTelstar

CategoryCOM

OrbitHEO (GTO)

Altitude206 × 35,602 km

Inclination6.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Telstar 402?

Telstar 402 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Nov 2004, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1994. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Telstar 402 re-enter the atmosphere?

Telstar 402 re-entered on 13 Nov 2004, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Telstar 402?

Telstar 402 was operated by ATTS and built by MMAS (US).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Telstar 402 → What is space debris? →