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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

NanoSail-D2

Re-entered 17 Sep 2011

NanoSail-D2 (NORAD 37361, COSPAR 2010-062L) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Sep 2011, launched on 20 Nov 2010 on the STP-SIV mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Ames programme. The spacecraft was built by ARC on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 3 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
3
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Nov 2010 · on the STP-SIV mission
Operational21 Jan 2011 · entered service
Retired21 Jan 2011 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Sep 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID37361
COSPAR2010-062L
TypeSatellite
OperatorARC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerARC
BusCubesat 3U
Mass3 kg
ProgrammeAmes
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude615 × 648 km
Inclination72.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NanoSail-D2?

NanoSail-D2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Sep 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 NanoSail-D2 re-enter the atmosphere?

NanoSail-D2 re-entered on 17 Sep 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NanoSail-D2?

NanoSail-D2 was operated by ARC and built by ARC (US).

Launched together

STP-SIVNORAD 37222Radio Aurora ExplorerNORAD 37223O/OREOSNORAD 37224Fastsat-HSVNORAD 37225Falconsat-5NORAD 37226Fastrac 1NORAD 37227STP-S26 Ballast ANORAD 37230STP-S26 Ballast BNORAD 37231
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.