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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RFTSat

Re-entered 21 Jun 2023

RFTSat (NORAD 44417, COSPAR 2019-022G) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jun 2023, launched on 25 Jul 2019 on the Cygnus NG-11 mission. It was operated by NWNAZ as part of the NWNU programme. The spacecraft was built by NWNAZ on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 2.8 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
2.8
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Jul 2019 · on the Cygnus NG-11 mission
Operational25 Jul 2019 · entered service
Retired25 Jul 2019 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Jun 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44417
COSPAR2019-022G
TypeSatellite
OperatorNWNAZ
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNWNAZ
BusCubesat 3U
Mass2.8 kg
ProgrammeNWNU
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude469 × 485 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RFTSat?

RFTSat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 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 RFTSat re-enter the atmosphere?

RFTSat re-entered on 21 Jun 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built RFTSat?

RFTSat was operated by NWNAZ and built by NWNAZ (US).

Launched together

NARSScube-2Re-entered 2024Quantum Radar 3Re-entered 2023SEOPS-ORCARe-entered 2023Dragon C108Re-entered 2019
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.