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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SMDC-ONE

Re-entered 12 Jan 2011

SMDC-ONE (NORAD 37246, COSPAR 2010-066C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Jan 2011, launched on 8 Dec 2010 on the Dragon C101 mission. It was operated by SMDC as part of the SMDC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by SMDC/MILTEC on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 4 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
2011
re-entered
1
year on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Dec 2010 · on the Dragon C101 mission
Operational12 Jan 2011 · entered service
Retired12 Jan 2011 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Jan 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID37246
COSPAR2010-066C
TypeSatellite
OperatorSMDC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSMDC/MILTEC
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeSMDC Cube
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude276 × 302 km
Inclination34.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SMDC-ONE?

SMDC-ONE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Jan 2011, 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 SMDC-ONE re-enter the atmosphere?

SMDC-ONE re-entered on 12 Jan 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SMDC-ONE?

SMDC-ONE was operated by SMDC and built by SMDC/MILTEC (US).

Launched together

Dragon C101Re-entered 2010NRO Colony IRe-entered 2011LANL Cubesat 3Re-entered 2010LANL Cubesat 1Re-entered 2010NRO Colony IRe-entered 2011LANL Cubesat 2Re-entered 2010LANL Cubesat 0Re-entered 2010CaerusRe-entered 2010
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.