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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

RadSat-U

Re-entered 30 Apr 2022

RadSat-U (NORAD 45262, COSPAR 1998-067RF) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Apr 2022, launched on 2 Nov 2019 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by MSU as part of the MSU programme. The spacecraft was built by MSU 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
2022
re-entered
3
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 Nov 2019 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Jan 2020 · entered service
Retired1 Apr 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Apr 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45262
COSPAR1998-067RF
TypeSatellite
OperatorMSU
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMSU
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeMSU
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude412 × 422 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to RadSat-U?

RadSat-U re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Apr 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 RadSat-U re-enter the atmosphere?

RadSat-U re-entered on 30 Apr 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was RadSat-U operational?

RadSat-U was operational for roughly 2 years, from 1 Jan 2020 to 1 Apr 2022.

Who operated and built RadSat-U?

RadSat-U was operated by MSU and built by MSU (US).

Launched together

STPSat-4Re-entered 2019HARPRe-entered 2022SOCRATESRe-entered 2022PhoenixRe-entered 2022MVP-ARe-entered 2022Cygnus NG-12Re-entered 2019Orbital Factory 2Re-entered 2023AC-14ARe-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.