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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

IceCube

Re-entered 3 Oct 2018

IceCube (NORAD 42705, COSPAR 1998-067LN) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Oct 2018, launched on 18 Apr 2017 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the GSFC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC 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.

2017
launched
2018
re-entered
1
year on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Apr 2017 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Oct 2018 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 2018 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Oct 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID42705
COSPAR1998-067LN
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeGSFC Cube
CategoryTECH/SCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude401 × 404 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to IceCube?

IceCube re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Oct 2018, 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 IceCube re-enter the atmosphere?

IceCube re-entered on 3 Oct 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built IceCube?

IceCube was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

QB50-TR02Re-entered 2019QB50-DE02Re-entered 2019QB50-US04/QBUS 4Re-entered 2018KySat-3Re-entered 2018CXBN-2Re-entered 2019QB50-TW01Re-entered 2019QB50-FR01Re-entered 2019QB50-SE01Re-entered 2019
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.