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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SkySat 18

Re-entered 25 Sep 2024

SkySat 18 (NORAD 45789, COSPAR 2020-038BM) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Sep 2024, launched on 13 Jun 2020 on the Starlink V1.0-L8/SkySat mission. It was operated by PLABST as part of the Skysat programme. The spacecraft was built by MAXSS on the SkySat-Gen2 bus, with a mass of 110 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
2024
re-entered
4
years on orbit
110
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Jun 2020 · on the Starlink V1.0-L8/SkySat mission
Operational20 Sep 2024 · entered service
Retired20 Sep 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered25 Sep 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45789
COSPAR2020-038BM
TypeSatellite
OperatorPLABST
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMAXSS
BusSkySat-Gen2
Mass110 kg
ProgrammeSkysat
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude255 × 368 km
Inclination53.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SkySat 18?

SkySat 18 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 25 Sep 2024, 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 SkySat 18 re-enter the atmosphere?

SkySat 18 re-entered on 25 Sep 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SkySat 18?

SkySat 18 was operated by PLABST and built by MAXSS (US).

Launched together

Starlink V1.0-L8-03Re-entered 2024Starlink V1.0-L8-19NORAD 45754Starlink V1.0-L8-20NORAD 45755Starlink V1.0-L8-26Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L8-28Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L8-29Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L8-35NORAD 45759Starlink V1.0-L8-36Re-entered 2026
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.
Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Starlink V1.0-L8/SkySat → What is space debris? →