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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

HEAD-2D

Re-entered 7 Dec 2023

HEAD-2D (NORAD 45796, COSPAR 2020-039C) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 2023, launched on 17 Jun 2020 on the Gao Fen 9-03 mission. It was operated by HEAD as part of the HEAD programme. The spacecraft was built by SAST on the HEAD-1 bus, with a mass of 45 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
2023
re-entered
3
years on orbit
45
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Jun 2020 · on the Gao Fen 9-03 mission
Operational1 Jan 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Dec 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45796
COSPAR2020-039C
TypeSatellite
OperatorHEAD
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerSAST
BusHEAD-1
Mass45 kg
ProgrammeHEAD
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude484 × 501 km
Inclination97.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to HEAD-2D?

HEAD-2D re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 2023, 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 HEAD-2D re-enter the atmosphere?

HEAD-2D re-entered on 7 Dec 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built HEAD-2D?

HEAD-2D was operated by HEAD and built by SAST (CN).

Launched together

Gaofen 9 03 xingNORAD 45794Zheda Pixing 3ARe-entered 2024
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: Gao Fen 9-03 → What is space debris? →