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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Chang'e-4 Relay

Re-entered 21 May 2018

Chang'e-4 Relay (NORAD 43470, COSPAR 2018-045A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 May 2018, launched on 20 May 2018 on the Chang'e-4 Relay mission. It was operated by CASC as part of the Queqiao programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the CAST-100 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

Launched20 May 2018 · on the Chang'e-4 Relay mission
Operational1 Mar 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Mar 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 May 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43470
COSPAR2018-045A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCASC
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerCAST
BusCAST-100
Mass425 kg (325 kg dry)
ProgrammeQueqiao
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude394 × 383,109 km
Inclination27.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Chang'e-4 Relay?

Chang'e-4 Relay re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 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 Chang'e-4 Relay re-enter the atmosphere?

Chang'e-4 Relay re-entered on 21 May 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Chang'e-4 Relay?

Chang'e-4 Relay was operated by CASC and built by CAST (CN).

Launched together

DSLWP-ARe-entered 2018DSLWP-BRe-entered 2018
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.