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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC-5b

Re-entered 23 Nov 2022

AC-5b (NORAD 39466, COSPAR 2013-072E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Nov 2022, launched on 6 Dec 2013 on the TOPAZ 3 mission. It was operated by AERO as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 1.5U bus, with a mass of 2 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
2022
re-entered
9
years on orbit
2
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Dec 2013 · on the TOPAZ 3 mission
Operational1 Jan 2018 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2018 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Nov 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39466
COSPAR2013-072E
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 1.5U
Mass2 kg
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/R)
Altitude462 × 890 km
Inclination120.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC-5b?

AC-5b re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Nov 2022, 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 AC-5b re-enter the atmosphere?

AC-5b re-entered on 23 Nov 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC-5b?

AC-5b was operated by AERO and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

FIREBIRD ARe-entered 2023FIREBIRD BRe-entered 2025AC-5aRe-entered 2023ALICENORAD 39467SMDC Nanosatellite ProgramRe-entered 2025M-Cubed/COVENORAD 39469CUNYSAT-1Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.