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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starlink 1648

Re-entered 30 Mar 2026

Starlink 1648 (NORAD 46533, COSPAR 2020-070B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Mar 2026, launched on 6 Oct 2020 on the Starlink V1.0-L12 mission. It is catalogued as Starlink V1.0-L12-03. It was operated by SpaceX as part of the Starlink 1.0V1 programme. The spacecraft was built by SPXS on the Starlink bus, with a mass of 260 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
2026
re-entered
6
years on orbit
260
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched6 Oct 2020 · on the Starlink V1.0-L12 mission
Operational14 Oct 2025 · entered service
Retired20 Dec 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Mar 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID46533
COSPAR2020-070B
TypeSatellite
OperatorSpaceX
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPXS
BusStarlink
Mass260 kg (248 kg dry)
ProgrammeStarlink 1.0V1
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude260 × 275 km
Inclination53.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starlink 1648?

Starlink 1648 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Mar 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 Starlink 1648 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starlink 1648 re-entered on 30 Mar 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was Starlink 1648 operational?

Starlink 1648 was operational for roughly 2 months, from 14 Oct 2025 to 20 Dec 2025.

Who operated and built Starlink 1648?

Starlink 1648 was operated by SpaceX and built by SPXS (US).

Launched together

Starlink V1.0-L12-02Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L12-15Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L12-18Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L12-19Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L12-20Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L12-37Re-entered 2023Starlink V1.0-L12-39Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L12-41Re-entered 2026
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.