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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AIS VesselSat 2

Re-entered 27 Oct 2016

AIS VesselSat 2 (NORAD 38047, COSPAR 2012-001B) was a L satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Oct 2016, launched on 9 Jan 2012 on the ziyuan san hao mission. It was operated by LUXS / ORBC as part of the LUXS programme. The spacecraft was built by LUXS on the AIS bus, with a mass of 28 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.

2012
launched
2016
re-entered
4
years on orbit
28
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Jan 2012 · on the ziyuan san hao mission
Operational27 Oct 2016 · entered service
Retired27 Oct 2016 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Oct 2016 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID38047
COSPAR2012-001B
TypeSatellite
OperatorLUXS / ORBC
Country / StateL
ManufacturerLUXS
BusAIS
Mass28 kg
ProgrammeLUXS
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude489 × 500 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AIS VesselSat 2?

AIS VesselSat 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Oct 2016, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2012. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did AIS VesselSat 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

AIS VesselSat 2 re-entered on 27 Oct 2016, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AIS VesselSat 2?

AIS VesselSat 2 was operated by LUXS / ORBC and built by LUXS (L).

Launched together

ZY-3 01Re-entered 2026
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.