[NRO Unk LEO 1]

Re-entered 21 Feb 2008

[NRO Unk LEO 1] (NORAD 29651, COSPAR 2006-057A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Feb 2008, launched on 14 Dec 2006 on the NROL-21 mission. It was operated by NROC as part of the NRO Tech programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSS, with a mass of 2,300 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

2008

re-entered

years on orbit

2,300

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Dec 2006 · on the NROL-21 mission

Operational15 Dec 2006 · entered service

Retired15 Dec 2006 · end of operational service

Re-entered21 Feb 2008 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID29651

COSPAR2006-057A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNROC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSS

Mass2,300 kg (1,850 kg dry)

ProgrammeNRO Tech

CategoryTECH*

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude351 × 367 km

Inclination58.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to [NRO Unk LEO 1]?

[NRO Unk LEO 1] re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Feb 2008, 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 [NRO Unk LEO 1] re-enter the atmosphere?

[NRO Unk LEO 1] re-entered on 21 Feb 2008, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built [NRO Unk LEO 1]?

[NRO Unk LEO 1] was operated by NROC and built by LMSS (US).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: NROL-21 → What is space debris? →