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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

IBEX

Re-entered 20 Oct 2008

IBEX (NORAD 33401, COSPAR 2008-051A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Oct 2008, launched on 19 Oct 2008 on the IBEX mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the SMEX programme. The spacecraft was built by OSCD on the Microstar bus, with a mass of 107 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
2008
re-entered
0
years on orbit
107
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Oct 2008 · on the IBEX mission
Re-entered20 Oct 2008 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID33401
COSPAR2008-051A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerOSCD
BusMicrostar
Mass107 kg (80 kg dry)
ProgrammeSMEX
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (DSO)
Altitude12,260 × 304,347 km
Inclination21.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to IBEX?

IBEX re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Oct 2008, 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 IBEX re-enter the atmosphere?

IBEX re-entered on 20 Oct 2008, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built IBEX?

IBEX was operated by GSFC and built by OSCD (US).

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