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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Venus Express

Re-entered 9 Nov 2005

Venus Express (NORAD 28901, COSPAR 2005-045A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Nov 2005, launched on 9 Nov 2005 on the Venus Express 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 1,240 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.

2005
launched
2005
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,240
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Nov 2005 · on the Venus Express mission
Operational28 Nov 2014 · entered service
Retired1 Dec 2014 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Nov 2005 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID28901
COSPAR2005-045A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerEADSB
BusRosetta
Mass1,240 kg (670 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Plan
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude334 × -114,954 km
Inclination51.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Venus Express?

Venus Express re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Nov 2005, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2005. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Venus Express re-enter the atmosphere?

Venus Express re-entered on 9 Nov 2005, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Venus Express?

Venus Express 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.