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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

QB50-AU02

Re-entered 3 Dec 2018

QB50-AU02 (NORAD 42723, COSPAR 1998-067MC) was a AU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Dec 2018, launched on 18 Apr 2017 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by UNSW as part of the UNSW programme. The spacecraft was built by UNSW on the Cubesat 2U bus, with a mass of 2 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
2
kg mass

Lifecycle

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

Specifications

NORAD ID42723
COSPAR1998-067MC
TypeSatellite
OperatorUNSW
Country / StateAU
ManufacturerUNSW
BusCubesat 2U
Mass2 kg
ProgrammeUNSW
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude397 × 408 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to QB50-AU02?

QB50-AU02 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Dec 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 QB50-AU02 re-enter the atmosphere?

QB50-AU02 re-entered on 3 Dec 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built QB50-AU02?

QB50-AU02 was operated by UNSW and built by UNSW (AU).

Launched together

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