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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SPARC-1

Re-entered 26 Jun 2023

SPARC-1 (NORAD 44226, COSPAR 2019-026B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jun 2023, launched on 5 May 2019 on the STP 27RD mission. It was operated by AFRL / FMV as part of the AFRL Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by AFRL on the Cubesat 6U? bus, with a mass of 10 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.

2019
launched
2023
re-entered
4
years on orbit
10
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 May 2019 · on the STP 27RD mission
Operational1 Jan 2022 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Jun 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44226
COSPAR2019-026B
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFRL / FMV
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAFRL
BusCubesat 6U?
Mass10 kg
ProgrammeAFRL Cube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude493 × 511 km
Inclination40.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SPARC-1?

SPARC-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jun 2023, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2019. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did SPARC-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

SPARC-1 re-entered on 26 Jun 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SPARC-1?

SPARC-1 was operated by AFRL / FMV and built by AFRL (US).

Launched together

Falcon-ODERe-entered 2024ICEYE-X3Re-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.