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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Rosetta

Re-entered 2 Mar 2004

Rosetta (NORAD 28169, COSPAR 2004-006A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Mar 2004, launched on 2 Mar 2004 on the Rosetta mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Plan programme. The spacecraft was built by EADSB on the Rosetta bus, with a mass of 2,965 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.

2004
launched
2004
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,965
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Mar 2004 · on the Rosetta mission
Operational30 Sep 2016 · entered service
Retired30 Sep 2016 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Mar 2004 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID28169
COSPAR2004-006A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerEADSB
BusRosetta
Mass2,965 kg (1,295 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Plan
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude392 × -76,660 km
Inclination5.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Rosetta?

Rosetta re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Mar 2004, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2004. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Rosetta re-enter the atmosphere?

Rosetta re-entered on 2 Mar 2004, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Rosetta?

Rosetta was operated by ESA and built by EADSB (I-ESA).

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