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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

EOS Laser ALT-1

Re-entered 30 Aug 2010

EOS Laser ALT-1 (NORAD 27642, COSPAR 2003-002A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Aug 2010, launched on 13 Jan 2003 on the Icesat mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the EOS programme. The spacecraft was built by BALL on the BCP-2000 bus, with a mass of 959 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.

2003
launched
2010
re-entered
7
years on orbit
959
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Jan 2003 · on the Icesat mission
Operational11 Oct 2009 · entered service
Retired30 Aug 2010 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Aug 2010 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27642
COSPAR2003-002A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusBCP-2000
Mass959 kg (882 kg dry)
ProgrammeEOS
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)
Altitude585 × 602 km
Inclination94.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to EOS Laser ALT-1?

EOS Laser ALT-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Aug 2010, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2003. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did EOS Laser ALT-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

EOS Laser ALT-1 re-entered on 30 Aug 2010, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was EOS Laser ALT-1 operational?

EOS Laser ALT-1 was operational for roughly 11 months, from 11 Oct 2009 to 30 Aug 2010.

Who operated and built EOS Laser ALT-1?

EOS Laser ALT-1 was operated by GSFC and built by BALL (US).

Launched together

ChipsatNORAD 27643
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.