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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

FITSAT-1

Re-entered 4 Jul 2013

FITSAT-1 (NORAD 38853, COSPAR 1998-067CP) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jul 2013, launched on 21 Jul 2012 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by FUKU as part of the Fukuoka programme. The spacecraft was built by FUKU on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1 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
2013
re-entered
1
year on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Jul 2012 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational4 Jul 2013 · entered service
Retired4 Jul 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jul 2013 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID38853
COSPAR1998-067CP
TypeSatellite
OperatorFUKU
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerFUKU
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeFukuoka
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude402 × 422 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to FITSAT-1?

FITSAT-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jul 2013, 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 FITSAT-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

FITSAT-1 re-entered on 4 Jul 2013, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built FITSAT-1?

FITSAT-1 was operated by FUKU and built by FUKU (J).

Launched together

RAIKORe-entered 2013TES-1Re-entered 2013F-1Re-entered 2013WE WISHRe-entered 2013HTV 3Re-entered 2012
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.