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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Falconsat-3

Re-entered 21 Jan 2023

Falconsat-3 (NORAD 30776, COSPAR 2007-006E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jan 2023, launched on 9 Mar 2007 on the Orbital Express mission. It was operated by AFSMC as part of the STP2 programme. The spacecraft was built by USAFA/SPQ on the Falconsat bus, with a mass of 46 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.

2007
launched
2023
re-entered
16
years on orbit
46
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Mar 2007 · on the Orbital Express mission
Operational20 Jan 2023 · entered service
Retired20 Jan 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Jan 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID30776
COSPAR2007-006E
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSMC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUSAFA/SPQ
BusFalconsat
Mass46 kg
ProgrammeSTP2
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude555 × 561 km
Inclination35.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Falconsat-3?

Falconsat-3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jan 2023, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2007. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Falconsat-3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Falconsat-3 re-entered on 21 Jan 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Falconsat-3?

Falconsat-3 was operated by AFSMC and built by USAFA/SPQ (US).

Launched together

Orbital ExpressRe-entered 2007Midstar 1Re-entered 2023Orbital ExpressRe-entered 2023STPSat-1Re-entered 2023CFESatRe-entered 2022
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.