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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SHFT-1

Re-entered 29 Nov 2022

SHFT-1 (NORAD 43860, COSPAR 2018-104M) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Nov 2022, launched on 16 Dec 2018 on the Electron 04 Rideshare mission. It was operated by DARPA2 as part of the DARPA Light programme. The spacecraft was built by DARPA2 on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 5.1 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
2022
re-entered
4
years on orbit
5.1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Dec 2018 · on the Electron 04 Rideshare mission
Operational1 Jan 2020 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2020 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Nov 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43860
COSPAR2018-104M
TypeSatellite
OperatorDARPA2
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerDARPA2
BusCubesat 3U
Mass5.1 kg
ProgrammeDARPA Light
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)
Altitude495 × 511 km
Inclination85.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SHFT-1?

SHFT-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Nov 2022, 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 SHFT-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

SHFT-1 re-entered on 29 Nov 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SHFT-1?

SHFT-1 was operated by DARPA2 and built by DARPA2 (US).

Launched together

AC-11BRe-entered 2024ShieldsRe-entered 2026STF-1Re-entered 2024CeREsRe-entered 2022RSatRe-entered 2023CHOMPTTRe-entered 2024CalPoly CP11Re-entered 2024DaVinciRe-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.