KickSat-2

Re-entered 2 Apr 2019

KickSat-2 (NORAD 44046, COSPAR 2018-092G) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 2019, launched on 17 Nov 2018 on the Cygnus NG-10 mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Ames programme. The spacecraft was built by CORN/ARC on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 2.16 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

2019

re-entered

year on orbit

2.16

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Nov 2018 · on the Cygnus NG-10 mission

Operational2 Apr 2019 · entered service

Retired2 Apr 2019 · end of operational service

Re-entered2 Apr 2019 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44046

COSPAR2018-092G

TypeSatellite

OperatorARC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerCORN/ARC

BusCubesat 3U

Mass2.16 kg

ProgrammeAmes

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude297 × 305 km

Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to KickSat-2?

KickSat-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 2019, 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 KickSat-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

KickSat-2 re-entered on 2 Apr 2019, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built KickSat-2?

KickSat-2 was operated by ARC and built by CORN/ARC (US).

Launched together

Cygnus NG-10ERe-entered 2018 CHEFsat 2Re-entered 2022 MySat-1Re-entered 2022

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Cygnus NG-10 → What is space debris? →