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NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat

Re-entered 20 May 2015

NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat (NORAD 40662, COSPAR 2015-025M) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 May 2015, launched on 20 May 2015 on the X-37B No. 2? mission. It was operated by USNPS as part of the NPSCul programme. The spacecraft was built by USNPS on the NPSCul bus, with a mass of 45 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
2015
re-entered
0
years on orbit
45
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 May 2015 · on the X-37B No. 2? mission
Operational20 May 2015 · entered service
Retired20 May 2015 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 May 2015 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID40662
COSPAR2015-025M
TypeSatellite
OperatorUSNPS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUSNPS
BusNPSCul
Mass45 kg
ProgrammeNPSCul
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude356 × 700 km
Inclination55.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat?

NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 May 2015, 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 NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat re-enter the atmosphere?

NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat re-entered on 20 May 2015, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat?

NPSCuL-3 ULTRASat was operated by USNPS and built by USNPS (US).

Launched together

X-37B No. 2 F2Re-entered 2017Unix Space Server LangleyRe-entered 2023Optical CubeSat 1Re-entered 2022ParkinsonSat-1Re-entered 2021BRICSat-PRe-entered 2024Optical CubeSat 2Re-entered 2023GEARRS-2Re-entered 2022Optical CubeSat 3Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.