TRACE

Re-entered 18 Jul 2025

TRACE (NORAD 25280, COSPAR 1998-020A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2025, launched on 2 Apr 1998 on the TRACE mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the SMEX programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the SMEX bus, with a mass of 250 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

2025

re-entered

years on orbit

250

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Apr 1998 · on the TRACE mission

Operational21 Jun 2010 · entered service

Retired21 Jun 2010 · end of operational service

Re-entered18 Jul 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25280

COSPAR1998-020A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGSFC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerGSFC

BusSMEX

Mass250 kg

ProgrammeSMEX

CategoryAST

OrbitLEO (LEO/S)

Altitude597 × 642 km

Inclination97.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TRACE?

TRACE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2025, 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 TRACE re-enter the atmosphere?

TRACE re-entered on 18 Jul 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TRACE?

TRACE was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (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: TRACE → What is space debris? →