QUESS

Re-entered 25 Jan 2026

QUESS (NORAD 41731, COSPAR 2016-051A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 2026, launched on 15 Aug 2016 on the QUESS mission. It was operated by CAS as part of the CAS programme. The spacecraft was built by SECM/USTC on the CAST-2000? bus, with a mass of 640 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.

2016

launched

2026

re-entered

years on orbit

640

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Aug 2016 · on the QUESS mission

Operational1 Dec 2025 · entered service

Retired1 Dec 2025 · end of operational service

Re-entered25 Jan 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID41731

COSPAR2016-051A

TypeSatellite

OperatorCAS

Country / StateCN

ManufacturerSECM/USTC

BusCAST-2000?

Mass640 kg (500 kg dry)

ProgrammeCAS

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)

Altitude488 × 504 km

Inclination97.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to QUESS?

QUESS re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 2026, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2016. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did QUESS re-enter the atmosphere?

QUESS re-entered on 25 Jan 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built QUESS?

QUESS was operated by CAS and built by SECM/USTC (CN).

Launched together

3Cat-2Re-entered 2023 Qibo Daqi K WeixingRe-entered 2016

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: QUESS → What is space debris? →