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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starlink 1678

Re-entered 14 Jul 2026

Starlink 1678 (NORAD 46538, COSPAR 2020-070G) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Jul 2026, launched on 6 Oct 2020 on the Starlink V1.0-L12 mission. It is catalogued as Starlink V1.0-L12-17. 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
Operational18 Jul 2025 · entered service
Retired1 Aug 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered14 Jul 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID46538
COSPAR2020-070G
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 1678?

Starlink 1678 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 14 Jul 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 1678 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starlink 1678 re-entered on 14 Jul 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Starlink 1678?

Starlink 1678 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.