SLATS

Re-entered 1 Oct 2019

SLATS (NORAD 43066, COSPAR 2017-082B) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Oct 2019, launched on 23 Dec 2017 on the GCOM-C/SLATGS mission. It was operated by JAXA as part of the JAXA Tech programme. The spacecraft was built by MELCO on the SLATS bus, with a mass of 400 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

2019

re-entered

years on orbit

400

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Dec 2017 · on the GCOM-C/SLATGS mission

Operational1 Oct 2019 · entered service

Retired1 Oct 2019 · end of operational service

Re-entered1 Oct 2019 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43066

COSPAR2017-082B

TypeSatellite

OperatorJAXA

Country / StateJ

ManufacturerMELCO

BusSLATS

Mass400 kg

ProgrammeJAXA Tech

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)

Altitude457 × 628 km

Inclination98.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SLATS?

SLATS re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Oct 2019, 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 SLATS re-enter the atmosphere?

SLATS re-entered on 1 Oct 2019, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SLATS?

SLATS was operated by JAXA and built by MELCO (J).

Launched together

GCOM-CNORAD 43065

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: GCOM-C/SLATGS → What is space debris? →