HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesCUSat
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CUSat

Re-entered 22 May 2026

CUSat (NORAD 39266, COSPAR 2013-055B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 May 2026, launched on 29 Sep 2013 on the Cassiope mission. It is catalogued as CUSat Bottom. It was operated by Cornell as part of the Cornell programme. The spacecraft was built by CORN on the CUSAT bus, with a mass of 23 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
2026
re-entered
13
years on orbit
23
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched29 Sep 2013 · on the Cassiope mission
Operational16 Oct 2013 · entered service
Retired16 Oct 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered22 May 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39266
COSPAR2013-055B
TypeSatellite
OperatorCornell
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerCORN
BusCUSAT
Mass23 kg
ProgrammeCornell
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude325 × 1,483 km
Inclination81.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CUSat?

CUSat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 22 May 2026, 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 CUSat re-enter the atmosphere?

CUSat re-entered on 22 May 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CUSat?

CUSat was operated by Cornell and built by CORN (US).

Launched together

CASSIOPENORAD 39265DANDENORAD 39267POPACS 1Re-entered 2026POPACS 2NORAD 39269POPACS 3NORAD 39270
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.