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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SkySat C13

Re-entered 21 Jun 2026

SkySat C13 (NORAD 43802, COSPAR 2018-099AW) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jun 2026, launched on 3 Dec 2018 on the SSO-A mission. It is catalogued as SkySat C13 (15). It was operated by Terra Bella as part of the Skysat programme. The spacecraft was built by SSLMAX on the SkySat-Gen2 bus, with a mass of 110 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
2026
re-entered
8
years on orbit
110
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Dec 2018 · on the SSO-A mission
Operational1 Jun 2025 · entered service
Retired1 May 2026 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Jun 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43802
COSPAR2018-099AW
TypeSatellite
OperatorTerra Bella
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSSLMAX
BusSkySat-Gen2
Mass110 kg
ProgrammeSkysat
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude573 × 590 km
Inclination97.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SkySat C13?

SkySat C13 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jun 2026, 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 SkySat C13 re-enter the atmosphere?

SkySat C13 re-entered on 21 Jun 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was SkySat C13 operational?

SkySat C13 was operational for roughly 11 months, from 1 Jun 2025 to 1 May 2026.

Who operated and built SkySat C13?

SkySat C13 was operated by Terra Bella and built by SSLMAX (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 2026-09-16.