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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC-7C

Re-entered 12 Aug 2022

AC-7C (NORAD 43043, COSPAR 2017-071G) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Aug 2022, launched on 12 Nov 2017 on the Cygnus OA-8 mission. It was operated by AERO as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 1.5U bus, with a mass of 2.3 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
2022
re-entered
5
years on orbit
2.3
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Nov 2017 · on the Cygnus OA-8 mission
Operational1 Jul 2022 · entered service
Retired1 Jul 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Aug 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43043
COSPAR2017-071G
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 1.5U
Mass2.3 kg (2 kg dry)
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude449 × 454 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC-7C?

AC-7C re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Aug 2022, 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 AC-7C re-enter the atmosphere?

AC-7C re-entered on 12 Aug 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC-7C?

AC-7C was operated by AERO and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

EcAMSatRe-entered 2017TES-6Re-entered 2017Cygnus OA-8Re-entered 2017Lemur FM51Re-entered 2022AC-7BRe-entered 2022CHEFsatRe-entered 2022Lemur FM52Re-entered 2022Lemur FM53Re-entered 2022
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.