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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SAX

Re-entered 29 Apr 2003

SAX (NORAD 23857, COSPAR 1996-027A) was a I satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Apr 2003, launched on 30 Apr 1996 on the SAX mission. It was operated by ASI as part of the ASI programme. The spacecraft was built by ALEN on the SAX bus, with a mass of 1,383 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.

1996
launched
2003
re-entered
7
years on orbit
1,383
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Apr 1996 · on the SAX mission
Operational29 Apr 2003 · entered service
Retired29 Apr 2003 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Apr 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID23857
COSPAR1996-027A
TypeSatellite
OperatorASI
Country / StateI
ManufacturerALEN
BusSAX
Mass1,383 kg
ProgrammeASI
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/E)
Altitude581 × 604 km
Inclination3.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SAX?

SAX re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Apr 2003, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1996. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SAX re-enter the atmosphere?

SAX re-entered on 29 Apr 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SAX?

SAX was operated by ASI and built by ALEN (I).

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