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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Space Technology 5 MID

Re-entered 29 Jul 2025

Space Technology 5 MID (NORAD 28981, COSPAR 2006-008B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Jul 2025, launched on 22 Mar 2006 on the Space Technology 5 mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the NewMil programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the ST5 bus, with a mass of 25 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.

2006
launched
2025
re-entered
19
years on orbit
25
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Mar 2006 · on the Space Technology 5 mission
Operational30 Jun 2006 · entered service
Retired30 Jun 2006 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Jul 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID28981
COSPAR2006-008B
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusST5
Mass25 kg
ProgrammeNewMil
CategorySCI
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude303 × 4,547 km
Inclination105.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Space Technology 5 MID?

Space Technology 5 MID re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Jul 2025, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2006. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Space Technology 5 MID re-enter the atmosphere?

Space Technology 5 MID re-entered on 29 Jul 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Space Technology 5 MID?

Space Technology 5 MID was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

Space Technology 5 FWDNORAD 28980Space Technology 5 AFTNORAD 28982
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.