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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Capella 1

Re-entered 25 Jan 2023

Capella 1 (NORAD 43791, COSPAR 2018-099AK) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 2023, launched on 3 Dec 2018 on the SSO-A mission. It was operated by CAPSP as part of the Capella programme. The spacecraft was built by CAPSP on the Cubesat 12U bus, with a mass of 30 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
30
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Dec 2018 · on the SSO-A mission
Operational1 Jan 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Jan 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43791
COSPAR2018-099AK
TypeSatellite
OperatorCAPSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerCAPSP
BusCubesat 12U
Mass30 kg
ProgrammeCapella
CategoryIMG-R
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude573 × 591 km
Inclination97.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Capella 1?

Capella 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Jan 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 Capella 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Capella 1 re-entered on 25 Jan 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Capella 1?

Capella 1 was operated by CAPSP and built by CAPSP (US).

Launched together

MinXSS 2NORAD 43758SNUSAT 2NORAD 43782KazSTSatNORAD 43783SNUGLITENORAD 43784OrbWeaver 2Re-entered 2024ITASAT-1NORAD 43786KazSciSatRe-entered 2025Dove 210dRe-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.