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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starlink 1955

Re-entered 21 Mar 2026

Starlink 1955 (NORAD 47556, COSPAR 2021-009J) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Mar 2026, launched on 4 Feb 2021 on the Starlink V1.0-L18 mission. It is catalogued as Starlink V1.0-L18-09. It was operated by SpaceX as part of the Starlink 1.0V2 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.

2021
launched
2026
re-entered
5
years on orbit
260
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Feb 2021 · on the Starlink V1.0-L18 mission
Operational24 Apr 2025 · entered service
Retired23 Jun 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Mar 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID47556
COSPAR2021-009J
TypeSatellite
OperatorSpaceX
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPXS
BusStarlink
Mass260 kg (248 kg dry)
ProgrammeStarlink 1.0V2
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude300 × 302 km
Inclination53.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starlink 1955?

Starlink 1955 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Mar 2026, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2021. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Starlink 1955 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starlink 1955 re-entered on 21 Mar 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was Starlink 1955 operational?

Starlink 1955 was operational for roughly 2 months, from 24 Apr 2025 to 23 Jun 2025.

Who operated and built Starlink 1955?

Starlink 1955 was operated by SpaceX and built by SPXS (US).

Launched together

Starlink V1.0-L18-01Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L18-25Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L18-26Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L18-27Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L18-28Re-entered 2025Starlink V1.0-L18-29Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L18-30Re-entered 2026Starlink V1.0-L18-31Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.