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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

STEREO Ahead

Re-entered 26 Oct 2006

STEREO Ahead (NORAD 29510, COSPAR 2006-047A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 2006, launched on 26 Oct 2006 on the STEREO Ahead mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the SOLTP programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the Stereo bus, with a mass of 620 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
2006
re-entered
0
years on orbit
620
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Oct 2006 · on the STEREO Ahead mission
Re-entered26 Oct 2006 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID29510
COSPAR2006-047A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusStereo
Mass620 kg (560 kg dry)
ProgrammeSOLTP
CategorySCI/PLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude192,937 × 1,772,266 km
Inclination33.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to STEREO Ahead?

STEREO Ahead re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 2006, 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 STEREO Ahead re-enter the atmosphere?

STEREO Ahead re-entered on 26 Oct 2006, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built STEREO Ahead?

STEREO Ahead was operated by GSFC and built by APL (US).

Launched together

STEREO BehindRe-entered 2006
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.