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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC4-B

Re-entered 13 Mar 2025

AC4-B (NORAD 38768, COSPAR 2012-048L) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Mar 2025, launched on 13 Sep 2012 on the INTRUDER 10 mission. It was operated by AERO as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1.3 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.

2012
launched
2025
re-entered
13
years on orbit
1.3
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Sep 2012 · on the INTRUDER 10 mission
Operational1 Jan 2016 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2016 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Mar 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID38768
COSPAR2012-048L
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1.3 kg
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude483 × 779 km
Inclination64.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC4-B?

AC4-B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Mar 2025, 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 AC4-B re-enter the atmosphere?

AC4-B re-entered on 13 Mar 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC4-B?

AC4-B was operated by AERO and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

INTRUDER 11NORAD 38758ORSES (Colony 2B-S)NORAD 38759AeneasNORAD 38760CSSWENORAD 38761Unbridled SpiritNORAD 38762CalPoly CP5NORAD 38763CINEMA 1NORAD 38764STARE-ANORAD 38765
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.