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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC-10b

Re-entered 16 May 2023

AC-10b (NORAD 44484, COSPAR 2019-022C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 May 2023, launched on 17 Apr 2019 on the Cygnus NG-11 mission. It was operated by AERO as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 1.5U bus, with a mass of 2.1 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
2.1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Apr 2019 · on the Cygnus NG-11 mission
Operational1 May 2023 · entered service
Retired1 May 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 May 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44484
COSPAR2019-022C
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 1.5U
Mass2.1 kg
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude471 × 484 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC-10b?

AC-10b re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 May 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 AC-10b re-enter the atmosphere?

AC-10b re-entered on 16 May 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC-10b?

AC-10b was operated by AERO and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

BIRD-LKARe-entered 2021BIRD-JPNRe-entered 2021BIRD-NPLRe-entered 2021SpooQy-1Re-entered 2021IOD-1 GEMSRe-entered 2021SwiatowidRe-entered 2021KRAKsatRe-entered 2022VCC ARe-entered 2021
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.