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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Cygnus OA-4

Re-entered 9 Dec 2015

Cygnus OA-4 (NORAD 41101, COSPAR 2015-072A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Dec 2015, launched on 6 Dec 2015 on the Cygnus OA-4 mission. It was operated by OATKD as part of the Cygnus programme. The spacecraft was built by OATKD on the EPCM bus, with a mass of 5,992 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
5,992
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Dec 2015 · on the Cygnus OA-4 mission
Operational20 Feb 2016 · entered service
Retired20 Feb 2016 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Dec 2015 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID41101
COSPAR2015-072A
TypeSatellite
OperatorOATKD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerOATKD
BusEPCM
Mass5,992 kg (2,643 kg dry)
ProgrammeCygnus
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude404 × 418 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Cygnus OA-4?

Cygnus OA-4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 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 Cygnus OA-4 re-enter the atmosphere?

Cygnus OA-4 re-entered on 9 Dec 2015, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Cygnus OA-4?

Cygnus OA-4 was operated by OATKD and built by OATKD (US).

Launched together

AggieSat-4/LONESTAR 2Re-entered 2016Bevo 2/LONESTAR 2Re-entered 2017MinXSSRe-entered 2017CADRERe-entered 2017STMSat 1Re-entered 2017Nodes 1Re-entered 2017Nodes 2Re-entered 2017Dove 0C37Re-entered 2018
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.