CHAMP

Re-entered 19 Sep 2010

CHAMP (NORAD 26405, COSPAR 2000-039B) was a D satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 2010, launched on 15 Jul 2000 on the MITA-NINA mission. It was operated by GFZ as part of the DLR Geo programme. The spacecraft was built by JENA/ASTDF on the Flexbus bus, with a mass of 522 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.

2000

launched

2010

re-entered

years on orbit

522

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Jul 2000 · on the MITA-NINA mission

Operational19 Sep 2010 · entered service

Retired19 Sep 2010 · end of operational service

Re-entered19 Sep 2010 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26405

COSPAR2000-039B

TypeSatellite

OperatorGFZ

Country / StateD

ManufacturerJENA/ASTDF

BusFlexbus

Mass522 kg

ProgrammeDLR Geo

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)

Altitude421 × 475 km

Inclination87.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CHAMP?

CHAMP re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Sep 2010, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2000. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CHAMP re-enter the atmosphere?

CHAMP re-entered on 19 Sep 2010, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CHAMP?

CHAMP was operated by GFZ and built by JENA/ASTDF (D).

Launched together

MITA-NINARe-entered 2001

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: MITA-NINA → What is space debris? →