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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Cygnus Mass Simulator

Re-entered 10 May 2013

Cygnus Mass Simulator (NORAD 39145, COSPAR 2013-016D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 May 2013, launched on 21 Apr 2013 on the A-ONE mission. It was operated by OSCD as part of the Cygnus programme. The spacecraft was built by OSCD, with a mass of 3,800 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.

2013
launched
2013
re-entered
0
years on orbit
3,800
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Apr 2013 · on the A-ONE mission
Operational21 Apr 2013 · entered service
Retired21 Apr 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 May 2013 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39145
COSPAR2013-016D
TypeSatellite
OperatorOSCD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerOSCD
Mass3,800 kg
ProgrammeCygnus
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude223 × 237 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Cygnus Mass Simulator?

Cygnus Mass Simulator re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 May 2013, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2013. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Cygnus Mass Simulator re-enter the atmosphere?

Cygnus Mass Simulator re-entered on 10 May 2013, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Cygnus Mass Simulator?

Cygnus Mass Simulator was operated by OSCD and built by OSCD (US).

Launched together

TES-2/PhoneSat 1.0 V1BRe-entered 2013Dove 0601Re-entered 2013PhoneSat 2.0Re-entered 2013PhoneSat 1.0 V1ARe-entered 2013
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.