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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SNOE

Re-entered 13 Dec 2003

SNOE (NORAD 25233, COSPAR 1998-012A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Dec 2003, launched on 26 Feb 1998 on the SNOE mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the UNEX programme. The spacecraft was built by UCO on the SNOE bus, with a mass of 120 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.

1998
launched
2003
re-entered
5
years on orbit
120
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Feb 1998 · on the SNOE mission
Operational13 Dec 2003 · entered service
Retired13 Dec 2003 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Dec 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25233
COSPAR1998-012A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUCO
BusSNOE
Mass120 kg
ProgrammeUNEX
CategoryEOSCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude535 × 579 km
Inclination97.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SNOE?

SNOE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Dec 2003, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1998. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SNOE re-enter the atmosphere?

SNOE re-entered on 13 Dec 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SNOE?

SNOE was operated by GSFC and built by UCO (US).

Launched together

BATSATRe-entered 2000
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.