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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

COMPASS-1

Re-entered 3 Dec 2025

COMPASS-1 (NORAD 32787, COSPAR 2008-021E) was a D satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Dec 2025, launched on 28 Apr 2008 on the PSLV Rideshare 01 mission. It was operated by AACH as part of the Aachen programme. The spacecraft was built by AACH on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1 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.

2008
launched
2025
re-entered
17
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Apr 2008 · on the PSLV Rideshare 01 mission
Operational3 Mar 2012 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Dec 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID32787
COSPAR2008-021E
TypeSatellite
OperatorAACH
Country / StateD
ManufacturerAACH
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeAachen
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude615 × 635 km
Inclination98.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to COMPASS-1?

COMPASS-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Dec 2025, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2008. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did COMPASS-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

COMPASS-1 re-entered on 3 Dec 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was COMPASS-1 operational?

COMPASS-1 was operational for roughly 13 years, from 3 Mar 2012 to 1 Jan 2025.

Who operated and built COMPASS-1?

COMPASS-1 was operated by AACH and built by AACH (D).

Launched together

Cartosat-2ANORAD 32783CanX-6NORAD 32784Cute-1.7/APD 2NORAD 32785Indian Mini Satellite 1NORAD 32786AAUSat-IIRe-entered 2025Delfi-C3Re-entered 2023CanX-2NORAD 32790SEEDS 2NORAD 32791
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.