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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SIMPL

Re-entered 10 Dec 2015

SIMPL (NORAD 42983, COSPAR 1998-067NF) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Dec 2015, launched on 6 Dec 2015 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by NWURKS as part of the Satlet programme. The spacecraft was built by NWURKS on the SIMPL bus, with a mass of 50 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.

2015
launched
2015
re-entered
0
years on orbit
50
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Dec 2015 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Jan 2018 · entered service
Retired1 Jul 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 Dec 2015 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID42983
COSPAR1998-067NF
TypeSatellite
OperatorNWURKS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNWURKS
BusSIMPL
Mass50 kg
ProgrammeSatlet
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude400 × 407 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SIMPL?

SIMPL re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Dec 2015, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2015. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SIMPL re-enter the atmosphere?

SIMPL re-entered on 10 Dec 2015, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was SIMPL operational?

SIMPL was operational for roughly 4 years, from 1 Jan 2018 to 1 Jul 2022.

Who operated and built SIMPL?

SIMPL was operated by NWURKS and built by NWURKS (US).

Launched together

AggieSat-4/LONESTAR 2Re-entered 2016Bevo 2/LONESTAR 2Re-entered 2017MinXSSRe-entered 2017CADRERe-entered 2017STMSat 1Re-entered 2017Nodes 1Re-entered 2017Nodes 2Re-entered 2017Dove 0C37Re-entered 2018
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.