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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Mars Exploration Rover 1

Re-entered 8 Jul 2003

Mars Exploration Rover 1 (NORAD 27849, COSPAR 2003-032A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Jul 2003, launched on 8 Jul 2003 on the Mars Exploration Rover 1 mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Mars Program programme. The spacecraft was built by JPL? on the MPF bus, with a mass of 185 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
185
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Jul 2003 · on the Mars Exploration Rover 1 mission
Operational10 Jun 2018 · entered service
Retired10 Jun 2018 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Jul 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27849
COSPAR2003-032A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerJPL?
BusMPF
Mass185 kg
ProgrammeMars Program
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude184 × -89,996 km
Inclination29.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Mars Exploration Rover 1?

Mars Exploration Rover 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Jul 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 Exploration Rover 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Mars Exploration Rover 1 re-entered on 8 Jul 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Mars Exploration Rover 1?

Mars Exploration Rover 1 was operated by JPL and built by JPL? (US).

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