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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Caton-1

Re-entered 3 Nov 2025

Caton-1 (NORAD 41915, COSPAR 2017-002C) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Nov 2025, launched on 9 Jan 2017 on the Jilin-1 mission. It was operated by CATON as part of the Caton programme. The spacecraft was built by NJUST on the Cubesat 2U bus, with a mass of 2.72 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.

2017
launched
2025
re-entered
8
years on orbit
2.72
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Jan 2017 · on the Jilin-1 mission
Operational1 Jun 2018 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Nov 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID41915
COSPAR2017-002C
TypeSatellite
OperatorCATON
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerNJUST
BusCubesat 2U
Mass2.72 kg
ProgrammeCaton
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude530 × 546 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Caton-1?

Caton-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Nov 2025, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2017. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Caton-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Caton-1 re-entered on 3 Nov 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was Caton-1 operational?

Caton-1 was operational for roughly 7 years, from 1 Jun 2018 to 1 Oct 2025.

Who operated and built Caton-1?

Caton-1 was operated by CATON and built by NJUST (CN).

Launched together

Xingyun Shiyan-1Re-entered 2024Jilin-1 Shipin 3NORAD 41914
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.