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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Mars InSight

Re-entered 5 May 2018

Mars InSight (NORAD 43457, COSPAR 2018-042A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 May 2018, launched on 5 May 2018 on the Mars Insight mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Discovery programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSSD on the Mars bus, with a mass of 425 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.

2018
launched
2018
re-entered
0
years on orbit
425
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 May 2018 · on the Mars Insight mission
Operational15 Dec 2022 · entered service
Retired15 Dec 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 May 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43457
COSPAR2018-042A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSSD
BusMars
Mass425 kg (358 kg dry)
ProgrammeDiscovery
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude115 × -110,126 km
Inclination63.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Mars InSight?

Mars InSight re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 May 2018, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2018. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Mars InSight re-enter the atmosphere?

Mars InSight re-entered on 5 May 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Mars InSight?

Mars InSight was operated by JPL and built by LMSSD (US).

Launched together

Mars Cube OneRe-entered 2018Mars Cube OneRe-entered 2018
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: Mars Insight → What is space debris? →