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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Simplesat

Re-entered 30 Jan 2002

Simplesat (NORAD 26889, COSPAR 2001-035B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jan 2002, launched on 10 Aug 2001 on the OV-103 ISS mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Simplesat programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the Simplesat bus, with a mass of 52 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.

2001
launched
2002
re-entered
1
year on orbit
52
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Aug 2001 · on the OV-103 ISS mission
Operational20 Aug 2001 · entered service
Retired20 Aug 2001 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Jan 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26889
COSPAR2001-035B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusSimplesat
Mass52 kg
ProgrammeSimplesat
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude385 × 403 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Simplesat?

Simplesat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jan 2002, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2001. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Simplesat re-enter the atmosphere?

Simplesat re-entered on 30 Jan 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Simplesat?

Simplesat was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

OV-103Re-entered 2001
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.