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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CUNYSAT-1

Re-entered 14 Oct 2025

CUNYSAT-1 (NORAD 39470, COSPAR 2013-072J) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Oct 2025, launched on 6 Dec 2013 on the TOPAZ 3 mission. It was operated by CUNYME as part of the CUNY programme. The spacecraft was built by CUNYME 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
2025
re-entered
12
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Dec 2013 · on the TOPAZ 3 mission
Operational1 Dec 2013 · entered service
Retired1 Dec 2013 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Oct 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID39470
COSPAR2013-072J
TypeSatellite
OperatorCUNYME
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerCUNYME
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeCUNY
CategorySCI/MET-RO
OrbitLEO (LEO/R)
Altitude462 × 890 km
Inclination120.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CUNYSAT-1?

CUNYSAT-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Oct 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 CUNYSAT-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

CUNYSAT-1 re-entered on 14 Oct 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CUNYSAT-1?

CUNYSAT-1 was operated by CUNYME and built by CUNYME (US).

Launched together

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