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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Kepler

Re-entered 7 Mar 2009

Kepler (NORAD 34380, COSPAR 2009-011A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Mar 2009, launched on 7 Mar 2009 on the Kepler mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Discovery programme. The spacecraft was built by BALL on the BCP-2000 bus, with a mass of 1,052 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
2009
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,052
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Mar 2009 · on the Kepler mission
Operational30 Oct 2018 · entered service
Retired15 Nov 2018 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Mar 2009 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID34380
COSPAR2009-011A
TypeSatellite
OperatorARC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusBCP-2000
Mass1,052 kg (1,040 kg dry)
ProgrammeDiscovery
CategoryAST
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude183 × -1,937,434 km
Inclination28.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kepler?

Kepler re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Mar 2009, 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 Kepler re-enter the atmosphere?

Kepler re-entered on 7 Mar 2009, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Kepler?

Kepler was operated by ARC and built by BALL (US).

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