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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starlink 1294

Re-entered 3 Mar 2026

Starlink 1294 (NORAD 45551, COSPAR 2020-025W) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Mar 2026, launched on 22 Apr 2020 on the Starlink V1.0-L6 mission. It is catalogued as Starlink V1.0-L6-21. 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

Launched22 Apr 2020 · on the Starlink V1.0-L6 mission
Operational17 Jan 2025 · entered service
Retired23 Feb 2026 · end of operational service
Re-entered3 Mar 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45551
COSPAR2020-025W
TypeSatellite
OperatorSpaceX
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPXS
BusStarlink
Mass260 kg (248 kg dry)
ProgrammeStarlink 1.0
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude211 × 358 km
Inclination53.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starlink 1294?

Starlink 1294 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 3 Mar 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 1294 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starlink 1294 re-entered on 3 Mar 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was Starlink 1294 operational?

Starlink 1294 was operational for roughly 13 months, from 17 Jan 2025 to 23 Feb 2026.

Who operated and built Starlink 1294?

Starlink 1294 was operated by SpaceX and built by SPXS (US).

Launched together

Starlink V1.0-L6-01NORAD 45531Starlink V1.0-L6-25NORAD 45555Starlink V1.0-L6-26Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L6-27Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L6-28Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L6-29Re-entered 2024Starlink V1.0-L6-30Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L6-31Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.