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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SkySat 20

Re-entered 26 Jun 2023

SkySat 20 (NORAD 46180, COSPAR 2020-057BR) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jun 2023, launched on 18 Aug 2020 on the Starlink V1.0-L10/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
2023
re-entered
3
years on orbit
110
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Aug 2020 · on the Starlink V1.0-L10/SkySat mission
Operational22 Jun 2023 · entered service
Retired22 Jun 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Jun 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID46180
COSPAR2020-057BR
TypeSatellite
OperatorPLABST
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMAXSS
BusSkySat-Gen2
Mass110 kg
ProgrammeSkysat
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude260 × 357 km
Inclination53.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SkySat 20?

SkySat 20 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jun 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 SkySat 20 re-enter the atmosphere?

SkySat 20 re-entered on 26 Jun 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SkySat 20?

SkySat 20 was operated by PLABST and built by MAXSS (US).

Launched together

Starlink V1.0-L10-02Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L10-12NORAD 46141Starlink V1.0-L10-13Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L10-15Re-entered 2022Starlink V1.0-L10-22Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L10-23Re-entered 2021Starlink V1.0-L10-24NORAD 46146Starlink V1.0-L10-26Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.