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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GOCE

Re-entered 11 Nov 2013

GOCE (NORAD 34602, COSPAR 2009-013A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Nov 2013, launched on 17 Mar 2009 on the GOCE mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the Earth Exp programme. The spacecraft was built by EASF on the GOCE bus, with a mass of 1,200 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
2013
re-entered
4
years on orbit
1,200
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Mar 2009 · on the GOCE mission
Operational10 Nov 2013 · entered service
Retired10 Nov 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Nov 2013 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID34602
COSPAR2009-013A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerEASF
BusGOCE
Mass1,200 kg
ProgrammeEarth Exp
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude272 × 288 km
Inclination96.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GOCE?

GOCE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Nov 2013, 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 GOCE re-enter the atmosphere?

GOCE re-entered on 11 Nov 2013, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GOCE?

GOCE was operated by ESA and built by EASF (I-ESA).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.
Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: GOCE → What is space debris? →