HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesArkyd-3
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Arkyd-3

Re-entered 23 Dec 2015

Arkyd-3 (NORAD 40742, COSPAR 1998-067GU) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Dec 2015, launched on 14 Apr 2015 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by PLRES as part of the Arkyd programme. The spacecraft was built by PLRES 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
2015
re-entered
0
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Apr 2015 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational16 Jul 2015 · entered service
Retired16 Jul 2015 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Dec 2015 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID40742
COSPAR1998-067GU
TypeSatellite
OperatorPLRES
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerPLRES
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeArkyd
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude396 × 402 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Arkyd-3?

Arkyd-3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Dec 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 Arkyd-3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Arkyd-3 re-entered on 23 Dec 2015, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Arkyd-3?

Arkyd-3 was operated by PLRES and built by PLRES (US).

Launched together

Dove 0B10Re-entered 2016Dove 0B1ARe-entered 2016Dove 0C06Re-entered 2016Dove 0C03Re-entered 2016Dove 0B0ERe-entered 2016Dove 0B0DRe-entered 2016Dove 0B07Re-entered 2016Dove 0B0BRe-entered 2016
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.