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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Copper-Cube

Re-entered 4 Feb 2016

Copper-Cube (NORAD 39395, COSPAR 2013-064R) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Feb 2016, launched on 20 Nov 2013 on the ORS-3 mission. It was operated by SLU as part of the SLU programme. The spacecraft was built by SLU 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.

2013
launched
2016
re-entered
3
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Nov 2013 · on the ORS-3 mission
Operational20 Nov 2013 · entered service
Retired20 Nov 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Feb 2016 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39395
COSPAR2013-064R
TypeSatellite
OperatorSLU
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSLU
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeSLU
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude498 × 502 km
Inclination40.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Copper-Cube?

Copper-Cube re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Feb 2016, 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 Copper-Cube re-enter the atmosphere?

Copper-Cube re-entered on 4 Feb 2016, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Copper-Cube?

Copper-Cube was operated by SLU and built by SLU (US).

Launched together

STP-SIV 2Re-entered 2023NSF FireflyRe-entered 2017ChargerSat 1.2Re-entered 2015Prometheus 1Re-entered 2015Lunar O/LRe-entered 2015Prometheus 3Re-entered 2015ORS-3Re-entered 2015PhoneSat 2.4Re-entered 2017
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.