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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

AC-14B

Re-entered 8 Feb 2023

AC-14B (NORAD 45116, COSPAR 2019-071F) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Feb 2023, launched on 2 Nov 2019 on the Cygnus NG-12 mission. It was operated by AERO / NROC as part of the Aerocube programme. The spacecraft was built by AERO on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 4 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
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Nov 2019 · on the Cygnus NG-12 mission
Operational1 Feb 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Feb 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Feb 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45116
COSPAR2019-071F
TypeSatellite
OperatorAERO / NROC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAERO
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeAerocube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude459 × 475 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AC-14B?

AC-14B re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Feb 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-14B re-enter the atmosphere?

AC-14B re-entered on 8 Feb 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built AC-14B?

AC-14B was operated by AERO / NROC and built by AERO (US).

Launched together

STPSat-4Re-entered 2019HARPRe-entered 2022SOCRATESRe-entered 2022PhoenixRe-entered 2022MVP-ARe-entered 2022RadSat-URe-entered 2022Cygnus NG-12Re-entered 2019Orbital Factory 2Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.