HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesHEAD-2B
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

HEAD-2B

Re-entered 16 Feb 2024

HEAD-2B (NORAD 44839, COSPAR 2019-087B) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Feb 2024, 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
2024
re-entered
5
years on orbit
45
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Dec 2019 · on the HEAD/Tianqi mission
Operational1 Jan 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Feb 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID44839
COSPAR2019-087B
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-2B?

HEAD-2B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Feb 2024, 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-2B re-enter the atmosphere?

HEAD-2B re-entered on 16 Feb 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built HEAD-2B?

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

Launched together

HEAD-2ARe-entered 2023Tianyi-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.