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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

HEAD-2A

Re-entered 1 Nov 2023

HEAD-2A (NORAD 44838, COSPAR 2019-087A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 2023, launched on 7 Dec 2019 on the HEAD/Tianqi mission. It was operated by HEAD as part of the HEAD programme. The spacecraft was built by LIZH/SAST on the HEAD-1 bus, with a mass of 45 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
45
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Dec 2019 · on the HEAD/Tianqi mission
Operational1 Oct 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Nov 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44838
COSPAR2019-087A
TypeSatellite
OperatorHEAD
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerLIZH/SAST
BusHEAD-1
Mass45 kg
ProgrammeHEAD
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude495 × 511 km
Inclination97.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to HEAD-2A?

HEAD-2A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Nov 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 HEAD-2A re-enter the atmosphere?

HEAD-2A re-entered on 1 Nov 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built HEAD-2A?

HEAD-2A was operated by HEAD and built by LIZH/SAST (CN).

Launched together

HEAD-2BRe-entered 2024Tianyi-16Re-entered 2024Tianyi-17Re-entered 2022Tianqi-4ARe-entered 2024Tianqi-4BRe-entered 2024
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: HEAD/Tianqi → What is space debris? →