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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gunsmoke-J3

Re-entered 26 Apr 2025

Gunsmoke-J3 (NORAD 47969, COSPAR 2021-023E) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 2025, launched on 22 Mar 2021 on the Global-5/Pathstone mission. It was operated by SMDC / TSEPT as part of the Gunsmoke programme. The spacecraft was built by TSEPT on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 4 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
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 Mar 2021 · on the Global-5/Pathstone mission
Operational1 Mar 2025 · entered service
Retired1 Mar 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Apr 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID47969
COSPAR2021-023E
TypeSatellite
OperatorSMDC / TSEPT
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTSEPT
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeGunsmoke
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude547 × 558 km
Inclination45.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gunsmoke-J3?

Gunsmoke-J3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 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 Gunsmoke-J3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Gunsmoke-J3 re-entered on 26 Apr 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gunsmoke-J3?

Gunsmoke-J3 was operated by SMDC / TSEPT and built by TSEPT (US).

Launched together

Veery-RL1Re-entered 2024Tyvak-0210Re-entered 2024RAAF M2Re-entered 2025Tyvak-0152Re-entered 2024PhotonRe-entered 2023RAAF M2Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.