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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

GRIFEX

Re-entered 24 Feb 2024

GRIFEX (NORAD 40379, COSPAR 2015-003D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Feb 2024, launched on 31 Jan 2015 on the SMAP mission. It was operated by UMI as part of the UMI programme. The spacecraft was built by UMI/JPL 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.

2015
launched
2024
re-entered
9
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched31 Jan 2015 · on the SMAP mission
Operational1 Jan 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Feb 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID40379
COSPAR2015-003D
TypeSatellite
OperatorUMI
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUMI/JPL
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeUMI
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude437 × 670 km
Inclination99.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to GRIFEX?

GRIFEX re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Feb 2024, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2015. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did GRIFEX re-enter the atmosphere?

GRIFEX re-entered on 24 Feb 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built GRIFEX?

GRIFEX was operated by UMI and built by UMI/JPL (US).

Launched together

SMAPNORAD 40376FIREBIRD U3Re-entered 2023FIREBIRD U4Re-entered 2023CalPoly CP10Re-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.