HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesAC-3/Drag device
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC-3/Drag device

Re-entered 6 Jan 2011

AC-3/Drag device (NORAD 35005, COSPAR 2009-028E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jan 2011, launched on 19 May 2009 on the Tacsat 3 mission. It was operated by AERO as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1.1 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
2011
re-entered
2
years on orbit
1.1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 May 2009 · on the Tacsat 3 mission
Operational9 Dec 2009 · entered service
Retired9 Dec 2009 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Jan 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID35005
COSPAR2009-028E
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1.1 kg
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude427 × 466 km
Inclination40.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC-3/Drag device?

AC-3/Drag device re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Jan 2011, 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 AC-3/Drag device re-enter the atmosphere?

AC-3/Drag device re-entered on 6 Jan 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC-3/Drag device?

AC-3/Drag device was operated by AERO and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

Tacsat 3Re-entered 2012PharmasatRe-entered 2012CalPoly CP6Re-entered 2011HawkSat-1Re-entered 2011
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.