HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesAC-12B
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC-12B

Re-entered 14 Aug 2023

AC-12B (NORAD 43557, COSPAR 2018-046D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Aug 2023, launched on 21 May 2018 on the Cygnus OA-9 mission. It was operated by AERO as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 5 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
2023
re-entered
5
years on orbit
5
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 May 2018 · on the Cygnus OA-9 mission
Operational1 Jan 2020 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2020 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Aug 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43557
COSPAR2018-046D
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 3U
Mass5 kg
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude476 × 488 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC-12B?

AC-12B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Aug 2023, 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 AC-12B re-enter the atmosphere?

AC-12B re-entered on 14 Aug 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC-12B?

AC-12B was operated by AERO and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

CubeRRTRe-entered 2020TEMPEST-DRe-entered 2021RainCubeRe-entered 2020HaloSatRe-entered 2021RadixRe-entered 2020Endurosat OneRe-entered 2020EquisatRe-entered 2020RadSat-gRe-entered 2021
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.