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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Al-Farabi 1

Re-entered 25 Jul 2023

Al-Farabi 1 (NORAD 42016, COSPAR 2017-008BW) was a KZ satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jul 2023, launched on 15 Feb 2017 on the PSLV Rideshare 09 mission. It was operated by KAZNU as part of the Al Farabi programme. The spacecraft was built by KAZNU on the Cubesat 2U bus, with a mass of 1.7 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
2023
re-entered
6
years on orbit
1.7
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Feb 2017 · on the PSLV Rideshare 09 mission
Operational15 Feb 2017 · entered service
Retired15 Feb 2017 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Jul 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID42016
COSPAR2017-008BW
TypeSatellite
OperatorKAZNU
Country / StateKZ
ManufacturerKAZNU
BusCubesat 2U
Mass1.7 kg
ProgrammeAl Farabi
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude497 × 497 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Al-Farabi 1?

Al-Farabi 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jul 2023, 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 Al-Farabi 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Al-Farabi 1 re-entered on 25 Jul 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Al-Farabi 1?

Al-Farabi 1 was operated by KAZNU and built by KAZNU (KZ).

Launched together

Cartosat-2DNORAD 41948Dove 1010Re-entered 2023Dove 1021Re-entered 2023Dove 1022Re-entered 2023Dove 101FRe-entered 2023Dove 101BRe-entered 2023Dove 1009Re-entered 2023Dove 1014Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.