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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Advanced Composition Expl.

Re-entered 26 Aug 1997

Advanced Composition Expl. (NORAD 24912, COSPAR 1997-045A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Aug 1997, launched on 25 Aug 1997 on the Advanced Composition Exp mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the DeltaEx programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the AMPTE-CCE bus, with a mass of 785 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
1997
re-entered
0
years on orbit
785
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Aug 1997 · on the Advanced Composition Exp mission
Re-entered26 Aug 1997 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24912
COSPAR1997-045A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusAMPTE-CCE
Mass785 kg (596 kg dry)
ProgrammeDeltaEx
CategorySCI
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude177 × 1,281,969 km
Inclination28.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Advanced Composition Expl.?

Advanced Composition Expl. re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Aug 1997, 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 Advanced Composition Expl. re-enter the atmosphere?

Advanced Composition Expl. re-entered on 26 Aug 1997, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Advanced Composition Expl.?

Advanced Composition Expl. was operated by GSFC and built by APL (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: Advanced Composition Exp → What is space debris? →