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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starshine

Re-entered 18 Feb 2000

Starshine (NORAD 25769, COSPAR 1999-030B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Feb 2000, launched on 27 May 1999 on the OV-103 ISS mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Starshine programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the Starshine bus, with a mass of 40 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.

1999
launched
2000
re-entered
1
year on orbit
40
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 May 1999 · on the OV-103 ISS mission
Operational5 Jun 1999 · entered service
Retired5 Jun 1999 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Feb 2000 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25769
COSPAR1999-030B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusStarshine
Mass40 kg
ProgrammeStarshine
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude375 × 393 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starshine?

Starshine re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Feb 2000, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1999. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Starshine re-enter the atmosphere?

Starshine re-entered on 18 Feb 2000, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Starshine?

Starshine was operated by GSFC and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 1999
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.