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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Deformable Mirror

Re-entered 14 Mar 2022

Deformable Mirror (NORAD 45916, COSPAR 1998-067RP) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Mar 2022, launched on 15 Feb 2020 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by DARPA2 / AURFS as part of the MIT Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by BLCAN/MIT on the Cubesat 6U bus, with a mass of 10 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
2022
re-entered
2
years on orbit
10
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Feb 2020 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational13 Mar 2022 · entered service
Retired13 Mar 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Mar 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID45916
COSPAR1998-067RP
TypeSatellite
OperatorDARPA2 / AURFS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBLCAN/MIT
BusCubesat 6U
Mass10 kg
ProgrammeMIT Cube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude415 × 418 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Deformable Mirror?

Deformable Mirror re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Mar 2022, 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 Deformable Mirror re-enter the atmosphere?

Deformable Mirror re-entered on 14 Mar 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Deformable Mirror?

Deformable Mirror was operated by DARPA2 / AURFS and built by BLCAN/MIT (US).

Launched together

RED-EYE 2Re-entered 2020RED-EYE 3Re-entered 2020TES-10Re-entered 2021Cygnus NG-13Re-entered 2020
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.