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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Gunsmoke-J2

Re-entered 28 Dec 2023

Gunsmoke-J2 (NORAD 49014, COSPAR 2021-013D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Dec 2023, launched on 20 Feb 2021 on the Cygnus NG-15 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
2023
re-entered
2
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Feb 2021 · on the Cygnus NG-15 mission
Operational1 Dec 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Dec 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Dec 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID49014
COSPAR2021-013D
TypeSatellite
OperatorSMDC / TSEPT
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTSEPT
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeGunsmoke
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude487 × 503 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Gunsmoke-J2?

Gunsmoke-J2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Dec 2023, 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-J2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Gunsmoke-J2 re-entered on 28 Dec 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Gunsmoke-J2?

Gunsmoke-J2 was operated by SMDC / TSEPT and built by TSEPT (US).

Launched together

WARP-01Re-entered 2022RSP-01Re-entered 2022TAU-Sat-1Re-entered 2022BIRDS-4 TsuruRe-entered 2022STARS-EC End Mass 1Re-entered 2022BIRDS-4 Maya-2Re-entered 2022OPUSAT-IIRe-entered 2022BIRDS-4 GuaraniSatRe-entered 2022
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.