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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

WISE

Re-entered 2 Nov 2024

WISE (NORAD 36119, COSPAR 2009-071A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Nov 2024, launched on 14 Dec 2009 on the Wide Field IR Explorer mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the MIDEX programme. The spacecraft was built by BALL on the BCP-300 bus, with a mass of 661 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
2024
re-entered
15
years on orbit
661
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Dec 2009 · on the Wide Field IR Explorer mission
Operational31 Jul 2024 · entered service
Retired8 Aug 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Nov 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID36119
COSPAR2009-071A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBALL
BusBCP-300
Mass661 kg (645 kg dry)
ProgrammeMIDEX
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude526 × 531 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to WISE?

WISE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Nov 2024, 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 WISE re-enter the atmosphere?

WISE re-entered on 2 Nov 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built WISE?

WISE was operated by JPL and built by BALL (US).

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