HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesVPM
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

VPM

Re-entered 29 Sep 2022

VPM (NORAD 45120, COSPAR 2019-071K) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Sep 2022, launched on 5 Dec 2019 on the Cygnus NG-12 mission. It was operated by AFRL as part of the AFRL Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by AFRL on the Cubesat 6U bus, with a mass of 8 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
8
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Dec 2019 · on the Cygnus NG-12 mission
Operational1 Sep 2022 · entered service
Retired1 Sep 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Sep 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45120
COSPAR2019-071K
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAFRL
BusCubesat 6U
Mass8 kg
ProgrammeAFRL Cube
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude459 × 473 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to VPM?

VPM re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Sep 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 VPM re-enter the atmosphere?

VPM re-entered on 29 Sep 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built VPM?

VPM was operated by AFRL and built by AFRL (US).

Launched together

CryoCube-1Re-entered 2021AztechSat-1Re-entered 2021QB50-BE05Re-entered 2022SORTIERe-entered 2022CIRiSRe-entered 2023MakerSat-1Re-entered 2022EdgeSatRe-entered 2023MiniCarbRe-entered 2022
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.