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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

TES-1

Re-entered 5 May 2013

TES-1 (NORAD 38854, COSPAR 1998-067CQ) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 May 2013, launched on 21 Jul 2012 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by ARC / SJSU as part of the TES programme. The spacecraft was built by SJSU 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
Operational5 May 2013 · entered service
Retired5 May 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 May 2013 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID38854
COSPAR1998-067CQ
TypeSatellite
OperatorARC / SJSU
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSJSU
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeTES
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude402 × 422 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TES-1?

TES-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 May 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 TES-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

TES-1 re-entered on 5 May 2013, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TES-1?

TES-1 was operated by ARC / SJSU and built by SJSU (US).

Launched together

RAIKORe-entered 2013FITSAT-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.