[NRO Unk Smallsat 8]
Re-entered 1 Jan 2026[NRO Unk Smallsat 8] (NORAD 45876, COSPAR 2020-046D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 2026, launched on 15 Jul 2020 on the NROL-129 mission. It was operated by NROC as part of the NRO TS programme. The spacecraft was built by BALL? on the BCP-2000? bus, with a mass of 250 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.
Lifecycle
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
What happened to [NRO Unk Smallsat 8]?
[NRO Unk Smallsat 8] re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Jan 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 [NRO Unk Smallsat 8] re-enter the atmosphere?
[NRO Unk Smallsat 8] re-entered on 1 Jan 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.
Who operated and built [NRO Unk Smallsat 8]?
[NRO Unk Smallsat 8] was operated by NROC and built by BALL? (US).