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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Tacsat 2

Re-entered 5 Feb 2011

Tacsat 2 (NORAD 29653, COSPAR 2006-058A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Feb 2011, launched on 16 Dec 2006 on the Tacsat-2 mission. It was operated by AFRL as part of the ORS Tacsat programme. The spacecraft was built by MICSY on the SN-200 bus, with a mass of 370 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
2011
re-entered
5
years on orbit
370
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Dec 2006 · on the Tacsat-2 mission
Operational21 Dec 2007 · entered service
Retired21 Dec 2007 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Feb 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID29653
COSPAR2006-058A
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMICSY
BusSN-200
Mass370 kg
ProgrammeORS Tacsat
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude413 × 423 km
Inclination40.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Tacsat 2?

Tacsat 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Feb 2011, 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 Tacsat 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Tacsat 2 re-entered on 5 Feb 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Tacsat 2?

Tacsat 2 was operated by AFRL and built by MICSY (US).

Launched together

Genesat-1Re-entered 2010
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.