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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SIRTF

Re-entered 25 Aug 2003

SIRTF (NORAD 27871, COSPAR 2003-038A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Aug 2003, launched on 25 Aug 2003 on the SIRTF mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Great Obs programme. The spacecraft was built by LMMS on the SIRTF bus, with a mass of 916 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
916
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Aug 2003 · on the SIRTF mission
Operational29 Jan 2020 · entered service
Retired30 Jan 2020 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Aug 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID27871
COSPAR2003-038A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMMS
BusSIRTF
Mass916 kg (851 kg dry)
ProgrammeGreat Obs
CategoryAST
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude172 × -2,084,426 km
Inclination31.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SIRTF?

SIRTF re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Aug 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 SIRTF re-enter the atmosphere?

SIRTF re-entered on 25 Aug 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SIRTF?

SIRTF was operated by JPL and built by LMMS (US).

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