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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starshine 2

Re-entered 26 Apr 2002

Starshine 2 (NORAD 26996, COSPAR 2001-054B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 2002, launched on 5 Dec 2001 on the OV-105 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 39 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
39
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Dec 2001 · on the OV-105 ISS mission
Operational16 Dec 2001 · entered service
Retired16 Dec 2001 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Apr 2002 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26996
COSPAR2001-054B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusStarshine
Mass39 kg
ProgrammeStarshine
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude360 × 391 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starshine 2?

Starshine 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 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 Starshine 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starshine 2 re-entered on 26 Apr 2002, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Starshine 2?

Starshine 2 was operated by GSFC and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

OV-105Re-entered 2001
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.