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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

QB50-AZ02

Re-entered 25 Apr 2020

QB50-AZ02 (NORAD 42726, COSPAR 1998-067MF) was a ZA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Apr 2020, launched on 18 Apr 2017 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by SCSS as part of the STBO programme. The spacecraft was built by SCSS on the Cubesat 2U bus, with a mass of 2.5 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
2020
re-entered
3
years on orbit
2.5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Apr 2017 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational25 Apr 2020 · entered service
Retired25 Apr 2020 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Apr 2020 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID42726
COSPAR1998-067MF
TypeSatellite
OperatorSCSS
Country / StateZA
ManufacturerSCSS
BusCubesat 2U
Mass2.5 kg
ProgrammeSTBO
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude399 × 406 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to QB50-AZ02?

QB50-AZ02 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Apr 2020, 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-AZ02 re-enter the atmosphere?

QB50-AZ02 re-entered on 25 Apr 2020, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built QB50-AZ02?

QB50-AZ02 was operated by SCSS and built by SCSS (ZA).

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.