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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Minisat-01

Re-entered 26 Feb 2002

Minisat-01 (NORAD 24779, COSPAR 1997-018A) was a E satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Feb 2002, launched on 21 Apr 1997 on the Minisat-01 mission. It was operated by INTA as part of the INTA programme. The spacecraft was built by CASA on the Minisat bus, with a mass of 209 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.

1997
launched
2002
re-entered
5
years on orbit
209
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Apr 1997 · on the Minisat-01 mission
Operational26 Feb 2002 · entered service
Retired26 Feb 2002 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Feb 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24779
COSPAR1997-018A
TypeSatellite
OperatorINTA
Country / StateE
ManufacturerCASA
BusMinisat
Mass209 kg
ProgrammeINTA
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/R)
Altitude562 × 581 km
Inclination151.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Minisat-01?

Minisat-01 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Feb 2002, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1997. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Minisat-01 re-enter the atmosphere?

Minisat-01 re-entered on 26 Feb 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Minisat-01?

Minisat-01 was operated by INTA and built by CASA (E).

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