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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

HTV 6

Re-entered 13 Dec 2016

HTV 6 (NORAD 41881, COSPAR 2016-076A) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Dec 2016, launched on 9 Dec 2016 on the HTV 6 mission. It was operated by JAXA as part of the HTV programme. The spacecraft was built by MHITO? on the HTV bus, with a mass of 6,225 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
2016
re-entered
0
years on orbit
6,225
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Dec 2016 · on the HTV 6 mission
Operational5 Feb 2017 · entered service
Retired5 Feb 2017 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Dec 2016 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID41881
COSPAR2016-076A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJAXA
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerMHITO?
BusHTV
Mass6,225 kg
ProgrammeHTV
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude276 × 302 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to HTV 6?

HTV 6 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Dec 2016, 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 HTV 6 re-enter the atmosphere?

HTV 6 re-entered on 13 Dec 2016, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built HTV 6?

HTV 6 was operated by JAXA and built by MHITO? (J).

Launched together

STARS-C OyakiRe-entered 2018FREEDOMRe-entered 2017TANCREDO-1Re-entered 2017ITF-2Re-entered 2019Waseda-SAT 3Re-entered 2018EGGRe-entered 2017AOBA-VeloxIIIRe-entered 2018TuPODRe-entered 2017
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.