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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

TROPICS SV01

Re-entered 26 Jul 2024

TROPICS SV01 (NORAD 48901, COSPAR 2021-059Y) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jul 2024, launched on 30 Jun 2021 on the Transporter-2 mission. It was operated by MITLL / GSFC as part of the MIT Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by RAYBL 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
2024
re-entered
3
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Jun 2021 · on the Transporter-2 mission
Operational1 Jun 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Jun 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Jul 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID48901
COSPAR2021-059Y
TypeSatellite
OperatorMITLL / GSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRAYBL
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeMIT Cube
CategoryEOSCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude524 × 536 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TROPICS SV01?

TROPICS SV01 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Jul 2024, 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 TROPICS SV01 re-enter the atmosphere?

TROPICS SV01 re-entered on 26 Jul 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TROPICS SV01?

TROPICS SV01 was operated by MITLL / GSFC and built by RAYBL (US).

Launched together

Starlink TSP2-01Re-entered 2024LINCS BRe-entered 2025SpaceBEE 111Re-entered 2024Nusat-19Re-entered 2024Umbra-SAR 2001Re-entered 2024Mandrake 2ANORAD 48907Mandrake 2BNORAD 48908PACE-1NORAD 48909
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.