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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Mars Express

Re-entered 3 Jun 2003

Mars Express (NORAD 27816, COSPAR 2003-022A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Jun 2003, launched on 2 Jun 2003 on the Mars Express mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Plan programme. The spacecraft was built by ASTD on the Rosetta bus, with a mass of 1,117 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
2003
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,117
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Jun 2003 · on the Mars Express mission
Re-entered3 Jun 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27816
COSPAR2003-022A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerASTD
BusRosetta
Mass1,117 kg (637 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Plan
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude340 × -104,357 km
Inclination51.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Mars Express?

Mars Express re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Jun 2003, 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 Mars Express re-enter the atmosphere?

Mars Express re-entered on 3 Jun 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Mars Express?

Mars Express was operated by ESA and built by ASTD (I-ESA).

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