CRISTA-SPAS

Re-entered 4 Nov 1994

CRISTA-SPAS (NORAD 23341, COSPAR 1994-073B) was a D satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Nov 1994, launched on 3 Nov 1994 on the OV-104 Spacelab mission. It was operated by DLR as part of the ASTRO-SPAS programme. The spacecraft was built by DASAO on the ASTRO-SPAS bus, with a mass of 3,263 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

1994

re-entered

years on orbit

3,263

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Nov 1994 · on the OV-104 Spacelab mission

Operational12 Nov 1994 · entered service

Retired12 Nov 1994 · end of operational service

Re-entered4 Nov 1994 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23341

COSPAR1994-073B

TypeSatellite

OperatorDLR

Country / StateD

ManufacturerDASAO

BusASTRO-SPAS

Mass3,263 kg

ProgrammeASTRO-SPAS

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude294 × 309 km

Inclination57.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CRISTA-SPAS?

CRISTA-SPAS re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Nov 1994, 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 CRISTA-SPAS re-enter the atmosphere?

CRISTA-SPAS re-entered on 4 Nov 1994, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CRISTA-SPAS?

CRISTA-SPAS was operated by DLR and built by DASAO (D).

Launched together

OV-104Re-entered 1994

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: OV-104 Spacelab → What is space debris? →