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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ZACUBE-2

Re-entered 23 Apr 2024

ZACUBE-2 (NORAD 43907, COSPAR 2018-111AH) was a ZA satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Apr 2024, launched on 27 Dec 2018 on the Soyuz Rideshare 7 mission. It was operated by CPUT as part of the CPUT programme. The spacecraft was built by CPUT on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 4 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
2024
re-entered
6
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 Dec 2018 · on the Soyuz Rideshare 7 mission
Operational1 Jul 2022 · entered service
Retired1 Aug 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Apr 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID43907
COSPAR2018-111AH
TypeSatellite
OperatorCPUT
Country / StateZA
ManufacturerCPUT
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeCPUT
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude480 × 508 km
Inclination97.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ZACUBE-2?

ZACUBE-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Apr 2024, 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 ZACUBE-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

ZACUBE-2 re-entered on 23 Apr 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ZACUBE-2?

ZACUBE-2 was operated by CPUT and built by CPUT (ZA).

Launched together

Kanopus-VNORAD 43876SAMSON mass simulatorRe-entered 2026Dove 106bRe-entered 2023Dove 106aRe-entered 2023Dove 106fRe-entered 2023Dove 106eRe-entered 2023Dove 106dRe-entered 2023Dove 1065Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.