HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesQB50-AU03
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

QB50-AU03

Re-entered 24 Nov 2018

QB50-AU03 (NORAD 42731, COSPAR 1998-067ML) was a AU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Nov 2018, launched on 18 Apr 2017 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by USYD as part of the Sydney programme. The spacecraft was built by USYD 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 Nov 2018 · entered service
Retired1 Nov 2018 · end of operational service
Re-entered24 Nov 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID42731
COSPAR1998-067ML
TypeSatellite
OperatorUSYD
Country / StateAU
ManufacturerUSYD
BusCubesat 2U
Mass2 kg
ProgrammeSydney
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude398 × 407 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to QB50-AU03?

QB50-AU03 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Nov 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-AU03 re-enter the atmosphere?

QB50-AU03 re-entered on 24 Nov 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built QB50-AU03?

QB50-AU03 was operated by USYD and built by USYD (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.