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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

SpaceBEE 21

Re-entered 14 Jun 2023

SpaceBEE 21 (NORAD 46300, COSPAR 2020-061AE) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Jun 2023, launched on 3 Sep 2020 on the SSMS mission. It was operated by SWARM as part of the Swarm programme. The spacecraft was built by SWARM on the Cubesat 0.25U bus, with a mass of 0.284 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
0.284
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Sep 2020 · on the SSMS mission
Operational1 Jun 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Jun 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Jun 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID46300
COSPAR2020-061AE
TypeSatellite
OperatorSWARM
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSWARM
BusCubesat 0.25U
Mass0.284 kg
ProgrammeSwarm
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude536 × 538 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to SpaceBEE 21?

SpaceBEE 21 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 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 SpaceBEE 21 re-enter the atmosphere?

SpaceBEE 21 re-entered on 14 Jun 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built SpaceBEE 21?

SpaceBEE 21 was operated by SWARM and built by SWARM (US).

Launched together

Nusat-6Re-entered 2024Dove 2254Re-entered 2024Dove 241cRe-entered 2024SpaceBEE 20Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE 15Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE 19Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.