ONYX 4

Re-entered 1 Mar 2014

ONYX 4 (NORAD 26473, COSPAR 2000-047A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Mar 2014, launched on 17 Aug 2000 on the ONYX 4 mission. It was operated by NROC as part of the LACROSSE programme. The spacecraft was built by LMA on the LACROSSE bus, with a mass of 9,000 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

2014

re-entered

years on orbit

9,000

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Aug 2000 · on the ONYX 4 mission

Operational1 Feb 2014 · entered service

Retired1 Feb 2014 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Mar 2014 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26473

COSPAR2000-047A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNROC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMA

BusLACROSSE

Mass9,000 kg (8,500 kg dry)

ProgrammeLACROSSE

CategoryIMG-R*

OrbitLEO (LEO/I)

Altitude574 × 677 km

Inclination68.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ONYX 4?

ONYX 4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Mar 2014, 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 ONYX 4 re-enter the atmosphere?

ONYX 4 re-entered on 1 Mar 2014, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ONYX 4?

ONYX 4 was operated by NROC and built by LMA (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: ONYX 4 → What is space debris? →