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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Lemur FM17

Re-entered 18 Jul 2024

Lemur FM17 (NORAD 41873, COSPAR 2016-062E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2024, launched on 17 Oct 2016 on the Cygnus OA-5 mission. It was operated by Spire Global as part of the Spire programme. The spacecraft was built by SPIREG 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.

2016
launched
2024
re-entered
8
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Oct 2016 · on the Cygnus OA-5 mission
Operational1 Jan 2020 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2020 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Jul 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID41873
COSPAR2016-062E
TypeSatellite
OperatorSpire Global
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPIREG
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeSpire
CategoryCOM/MET-RO
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude498 × 507 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Lemur FM17?

Lemur FM17 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Jul 2024, 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 Lemur FM17 re-enter the atmosphere?

Lemur FM17 re-entered on 18 Jul 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Lemur FM17?

Lemur FM17 was operated by Spire Global and built by SPIREG (US).

Launched together

Cygnus OA-5Re-entered 2016Lemur FM16Re-entered 2023Lemur FM15Re-entered 2023Lemur FM18Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.