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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PLANET-B

Re-entered 4 Jul 1998

PLANET-B (NORAD 25383, COSPAR 1998-041A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jul 1998, launched on 3 Jul 1998 on the Planet B mission. It was operated by ISASS as part of the ISAS Planet programme. The spacecraft was built by NEC on the Planet B bus, with a mass of 540 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
1998
re-entered
0
years on orbit
540
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Jul 1998 · on the Planet B mission
Operational1 Dec 2003 · entered service
Retired1 Dec 2003 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jul 1998 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25383
COSPAR1998-041A
TypeSatellite
OperatorISASS
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerNEC
BusPlanet B
Mass540 kg (262 kg dry)
ProgrammeISAS Planet
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude1,421 × 516,130 km
Inclination25.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PLANET-B?

PLANET-B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jul 1998, 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 PLANET-B re-enter the atmosphere?

PLANET-B re-entered on 4 Jul 1998, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PLANET-B?

PLANET-B was operated by ISASS and built by NEC (J).

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