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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Tiangong 2

Re-entered 19 Jul 2019

Tiangong 2 (NORAD 41765, COSPAR 2016-057A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Jul 2019, launched on 15 Sep 2016 on the Tiangong 2 mission. It was operated by CMSEO as part of the Tiangong programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the Tiangong bus, with a mass of 8,600 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
2019
re-entered
3
years on orbit
8,600
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Sep 2016 · on the Tiangong 2 mission
Operational19 Jul 2019 · entered service
Retired19 Jul 2019 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Jul 2019 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID41765
COSPAR2016-057A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCMSEO
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerCAST
BusTiangong
Mass8,600 kg (8,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeTiangong
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude369 × 378 km
Inclination42.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Tiangong 2?

Tiangong 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Jul 2019, 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 Tiangong 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Tiangong 2 re-entered on 19 Jul 2019, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Tiangong 2?

Tiangong 2 was operated by CMSEO and built by CAST (CN).

Launched together

TG-2 bansui weixingRe-entered 2019
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.