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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PRISM

Re-entered 19 Apr 2025

PRISM (NORAD 33493, COSPAR 2009-002B) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Apr 2025, launched on 23 Jan 2009 on the GOSAT mission. It was operated by TOK as part of the Tokyo programme. The spacecraft was built by TOK on the PRISM bus, with a mass of 8 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.

2009
launched
2025
re-entered
16
years on orbit
8
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Jan 2009 · on the GOSAT mission
Operational1 Jan 2018 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Apr 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID33493
COSPAR2009-002B
TypeSatellite
OperatorTOK
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerTOK
BusPRISM
Mass8 kg
ProgrammeTokyo
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude589 × 665 km
Inclination98.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PRISM?

PRISM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Apr 2025, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2009. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did PRISM re-enter the atmosphere?

PRISM re-entered on 19 Apr 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was PRISM operational?

PRISM was operational for roughly 5 years, from 1 Jan 2018 to 1 Jan 2023.

Who operated and built PRISM?

PRISM was operated by TOK and built by TOK (J).

Launched together

GOSATNORAD 33492SpriteSatNORAD 33494SORUNSAT-1NORAD 33495SOHLA 1NORAD 33496Small Demonstration SatNORAD 33497STARS-1 MotherNORAD 33498KKS-1NORAD 33499
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.