HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesELSA-d
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ELSA-d

Re-entered 27 Jul 2025

ELSA-d (NORAD 47944, COSPAR 2021-022N) was a J satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Jul 2025, launched on 22 Mar 2021 on the Soyuz Rideshare 9 mission. It was operated by ASTSC as part of the Astroscale programme. The spacecraft was built by ASTSC on the ELSA bus, with a mass of 175 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
2025
re-entered
4
years on orbit
175
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Mar 2021 · on the Soyuz Rideshare 9 mission
Operational24 Jan 2024 · entered service
Retired24 Jan 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Jul 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID47944
COSPAR2021-022N
TypeSatellite
OperatorASTSC
Country / StateJ
ManufacturerASTSC
BusELSA
Mass175 kg
ProgrammeAstroscale
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude534 × 557 km
Inclination97.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ELSA-d?

ELSA-d re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Jul 2025, 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 ELSA-d re-enter the atmosphere?

ELSA-d re-entered on 27 Jul 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ELSA-d?

ELSA-d was operated by ASTSC and built by ASTSC (J).

Launched together

CAS500-1NORAD 47932ChallengeOneRe-entered 2025BEESAT 6Re-entered 2024KMSLRe-entered 2026GRBAlphaRe-entered 2025OrbiKraft-ZorkiyRe-entered 20253B5GSATRe-entered 2024STECCORe-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.