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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Radio Aurora Explorer

Re-entered 6 Oct 2024

Radio Aurora Explorer (NORAD 37853, COSPAR 2011-061D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Oct 2024, launched on 28 Oct 2011 on the NPOESS Prep Project mission. It was operated by UMI / NSF as part of the UMI programme. The spacecraft was built by UMI/SRII 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.

2011
launched
2024
re-entered
13
years on orbit
3
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Oct 2011 · on the NPOESS Prep Project mission
Operational20 Apr 2013 · entered service
Retired20 Apr 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered6 Oct 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID37853
COSPAR2011-061D
TypeSatellite
OperatorUMI / NSF
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUMI/SRII
BusCubesat 3U
Mass3 kg
ProgrammeUMI
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude458 × 815 km
Inclination101.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Radio Aurora Explorer?

Radio Aurora Explorer re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 6 Oct 2024, 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 Radio Aurora Explorer re-enter the atmosphere?

Radio Aurora Explorer re-entered on 6 Oct 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Radio Aurora Explorer?

Radio Aurora Explorer was operated by UMI / NSF and built by UMI/SRII (US).

Launched together

NPOESS Prep ProjectNORAD 37849DICE-1Re-entered 2024DICE-2Re-entered 2024AubieSat-1Re-entered 2024Explorer 1 Prime Unit 2Re-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.