HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesPicosat Solar Cell Testbed
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Picosat Solar Cell Testbed

Re-entered 8 Dec 2011

Picosat Solar Cell Testbed (NORAD 37752, COSPAR 2011-031B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Dec 2011, launched on 8 Jul 2011 on the OV-104 ISS mission. It was operated by AFRL as part of the MEPSI programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Picosat bus, with a mass of 3.6 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.

2011
launched
2011
re-entered
0
years on orbit
3.6
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Jul 2011 · on the OV-104 ISS mission
Operational8 Dec 2011 · entered service
Retired8 Dec 2011 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Dec 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID37752
COSPAR2011-031B
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusPicosat
Mass3.6 kg
ProgrammeMEPSI
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude365 × 381 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Picosat Solar Cell Testbed?

Picosat Solar Cell Testbed re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Dec 2011, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2011. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Picosat Solar Cell Testbed re-enter the atmosphere?

Picosat Solar Cell Testbed re-entered on 8 Dec 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Picosat Solar Cell Testbed?

Picosat Solar Cell Testbed was operated by AFRL and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

OV-104Re-entered 2011
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.