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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starlink 1280

Re-entered 19 Aug 2026

Starlink 1280 (NORAD 45388, COSPAR 2020-019AE) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 2026, launched on 18 Mar 2020 on the Starlink V1.0-L5 mission. It is catalogued as Starlink V1.0-L5-24. It was operated by SpaceX as part of the Starlink 1.0 programme. The spacecraft was built by SPXS on the Starlink bus, with a mass of 260 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.

2020
launched
2026
re-entered
6
years on orbit
260
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Mar 2020 · on the Starlink V1.0-L5 mission
Operational12 Oct 2025 · entered service
Retired26 Oct 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Aug 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45388
COSPAR2020-019AE
TypeSatellite
OperatorSpaceX
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPXS
BusStarlink
Mass260 kg (248 kg dry)
ProgrammeStarlink 1.0
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude257 × 348 km
Inclination53.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starlink 1280?

Starlink 1280 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 2026, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2020. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Starlink 1280 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starlink 1280 re-entered on 19 Aug 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Starlink 1280?

Starlink 1280 was operated by SpaceX and built by SPXS (US).

Launched together

Starlink V1.0-L5-23Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L5-14NORAD 45384Starlink V1.0-L5-15Re-entered 2020Starlink V1.0-L5-16NORAD 45386Starlink V1.0-L5-18NORAD 45387Starlink V1.0-L5-27NORAD 45389Starlink V1.0-L5-28NORAD 45390Starlink V1.0-L5-33Re-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-18.