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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Herschel

Re-entered 15 May 2009

Herschel (NORAD 34937, COSPAR 2009-026A) was a I-ESA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 May 2009, launched on 14 May 2009 on the Herschel mission. It was operated by ESA as part of the ESA Ast programme. The spacecraft was built by THALES on the Herschel bus, with a mass of 3,402 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
3,402
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 May 2009 · on the Herschel mission
Operational17 Jun 2013 · entered service
Retired17 Jun 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered15 May 2009 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID34937
COSPAR2009-026A
TypeSatellite
OperatorESA
Country / StateI-ESA
ManufacturerTHALES
BusHerschel
Mass3,402 kg (3,146 kg dry)
ProgrammeESA Ast
CategoryAST
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude273 × 1,149,048 km
Inclination5.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Herschel?

Herschel re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 May 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 Herschel re-enter the atmosphere?

Herschel re-entered on 15 May 2009, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Herschel?

Herschel was operated by ESA and built by THALES (I-ESA).

Launched together

PlanckRe-entered 2009
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.