HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesAPSS-1
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

APSS-1

Re-entered 30 Jan 2024

APSS-1 (NORAD 46932, COSPAR 2020-085D) was a NZ satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jan 2024, launched on 20 Nov 2020 on the Electron 16 Rideshare mission. It was operated by APSS as part of the APSS programme. The spacecraft was built by APSS on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1 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
2024
re-entered
4
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Nov 2020 · on the Electron 16 Rideshare mission
Operational20 Nov 2020 · entered service
Retired20 Nov 2020 · end of operational service
Re-entered30 Jan 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID46932
COSPAR2020-085D
TypeSatellite
OperatorAPSS
Country / StateNZ
ManufacturerAPSS
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeAPSS
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude495 × 509 km
Inclination97.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to APSS-1?

APSS-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 Jan 2024, 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 APSS-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

APSS-1 re-entered on 30 Jan 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built APSS-1?

APSS-1 was operated by APSS and built by APSS (NZ).

Launched together

SpaceBEE 22Re-entered 2022DRAGRACER 1Re-entered 2021DRAGRACER 2NORAD 46955SpaceBEE 26Re-entered 2022SpaceBEE NZ-2Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE 39Re-entered 2022SpaceBEE NZ-1Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE 23Re-entered 2022
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.