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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SMDC Nanosatellite Program

Re-entered 26 Apr 2025

SMDC Nanosatellite Program (NORAD 39468, COSPAR 2013-072G) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 2025, launched on 6 Dec 2013 on the TOPAZ 3 mission. It was operated by SMDC as part of the SMDC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by DUCOMM on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 4 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
2025
re-entered
12
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Dec 2013 · on the TOPAZ 3 mission
Operational1 Mar 2014 · entered service
Retired1 Mar 2014 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Apr 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39468
COSPAR2013-072G
TypeSatellite
OperatorSMDC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerDUCOMM
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeSMDC Cube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LEO/R)
Altitude462 × 890 km
Inclination120.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SMDC Nanosatellite Program?

SMDC Nanosatellite Program re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 2025, 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 SMDC Nanosatellite Program re-enter the atmosphere?

SMDC Nanosatellite Program re-entered on 26 Apr 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SMDC Nanosatellite Program?

SMDC Nanosatellite Program was operated by SMDC and built by DUCOMM (US).

Launched together

FIREBIRD ARe-entered 2023FIREBIRD BRe-entered 2025AC-5aRe-entered 2023AC-5bRe-entered 2022ALICENORAD 39467M-Cubed/COVENORAD 39469CUNYSAT-1Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.