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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Ikaros

Re-entered 21 May 2010

Ikaros (NORAD 36577, COSPAR 2010-020E) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 2010, launched on 20 May 2010 on the K-SAT mission. It was operated by JAXA as part of the JAXA Plan programme. The spacecraft was built by JAXA on the Ikaros bus, with a mass of 315 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.

2010
launched
2010
re-entered
0
years on orbit
315
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 May 2010 · on the K-SAT mission
Operational21 May 2015 · entered service
Retired21 May 2015 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 May 2010 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID36577
COSPAR2010-020E
TypeSatellite
OperatorJAXA
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerJAXA
BusIkaros
Mass315 kg
ProgrammeJAXA Plan
CategoryTECH/PLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude298 × -56,249 km
Inclination31.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Ikaros?

Ikaros re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 2010, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2010. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Ikaros re-enter the atmosphere?

Ikaros re-entered on 21 May 2010, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Ikaros?

Ikaros was operated by JAXA and built by JAXA (J).

Launched together

K-SATRe-entered 2010Waseda-Sat 2Re-entered 2010Negai-star (Negai*)Re-entered 2010PLANET-CRe-entered 2010Unitec-1Re-entered 2010
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.