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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

LADEE

Re-entered 7 Sep 2013

LADEE (NORAD 39246, COSPAR 2013-047A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Sep 2013, launched on 7 Sep 2013 on the LADEE mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the NASA Lunar programme. The spacecraft was built by ARC on the MCSB bus, with a mass of 383 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
383
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Sep 2013 · on the LADEE mission
Operational18 Apr 2014 · entered service
Retired18 Apr 2014 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Sep 2013 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39246
COSPAR2013-047A
TypeSatellite
OperatorARC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerARC
BusMCSB
Mass383 kg (248 kg dry)
ProgrammeNASA Lunar
CategoryPLAN
OrbitLEO (DSO)
Altitude200 × 274,635 km
Inclination37.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to LADEE?

LADEE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Sep 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 LADEE re-enter the atmosphere?

LADEE re-entered on 7 Sep 2013, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built LADEE?

LADEE was operated by ARC and built by ARC (US).

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