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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Chang'e-4

Re-entered 8 Dec 2018

Chang'e-4 (NORAD 43845, COSPAR 2018-103A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Dec 2018, launched on 7 Dec 2018 on the Chang'e-4 mission. It was operated by CASC as part of the Chang'e programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the DFH-3 bus, with a mass of 3,640 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
3,640
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Dec 2018 · on the Chang'e-4 mission
Re-entered8 Dec 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43845
COSPAR2018-103A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCASC
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerCAST
BusDFH-3
Mass3,640 kg (1,200 kg dry)
ProgrammeChang'e
CategoryPLAN
OrbitBEO (CLO)
Altitude-1,416 × 423,507 km
Inclination29.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Chang'e-4?

Chang'e-4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Dec 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 re-enter the atmosphere?

Chang'e-4 re-entered on 8 Dec 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Chang'e-4?

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

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