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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

MCO

Re-entered 12 Dec 1998

MCO (NORAD 25571, COSPAR 1998-073A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Dec 1998, launched on 11 Dec 1998 on the MCO mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Mars Surveyor programme. The spacecraft was built by LMA/DENV on the Mars Surveyor bus, with a mass of 629 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
629
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched11 Dec 1998 · on the MCO mission
Operational23 Sep 1999 · entered service
Retired23 Sep 1999 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Dec 1998 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25571
COSPAR1998-073A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMA/DENV
BusMars Surveyor
Mass629 kg (338 kg dry)
ProgrammeMars Surveyor
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude187 × -86,038 km
Inclination28.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to MCO?

MCO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Dec 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 MCO re-enter the atmosphere?

MCO re-entered on 12 Dec 1998, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built MCO?

MCO was operated by JPL and built by LMA/DENV (US).

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