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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

TDO

Re-entered 30 Dec 2022

TDO (NORAD 44482, COSPAR 2019-051B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Dec 2022, launched on 8 Aug 2019 on the AEHF 5 mission. It was operated by AFSMC as part of the SMC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by AFSMC on the Cubesat 12U bus, with a mass of 20 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
2022
re-entered
3
years on orbit
20
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Aug 2019 · on the AEHF 5 mission
Operational1 Dec 2022 · entered service
Retired1 Dec 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Dec 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44482
COSPAR2019-051B
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSMC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAFSMC
BusCubesat 12U
Mass20 kg
ProgrammeSMC Cube
CategoryTECH
OrbitHEO (GTO)
Altitude211 × 35,235 km
Inclination26.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TDO?

TDO re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Dec 2022, 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 TDO re-enter the atmosphere?

TDO re-entered on 30 Dec 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TDO?

TDO was operated by AFSMC and built by AFSMC (US).

Launched together

AEHF SV-5NORAD 44481
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.