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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Sunstorm

Re-entered 5 Sep 2024

Sunstorm (NORAD 49068, COSPAR 2021-073C) was a FI satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Sep 2024, launched on 17 Aug 2021 on the Pleiades-Neo 4 mission. It was operated by REAKT / ESA as part of the Reaktor programme. The spacecraft was built by REAKT on the Cubesat 2U bus, with a mass of 2 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
2
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched17 Aug 2021 · on the Pleiades-Neo 4 mission
Operational1 Aug 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Aug 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Sep 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID49068
COSPAR2021-073C
TypeSatellite
OperatorREAKT / ESA
Country / StateFI
ManufacturerREAKT
BusCubesat 2U
Mass2 kg
ProgrammeReaktor
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude526 × 563 km
Inclination97.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Sunstorm?

Sunstorm re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Sep 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 Sunstorm re-enter the atmosphere?

Sunstorm re-entered on 5 Sep 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Sunstorm?

Sunstorm was operated by REAKT / ESA and built by REAKT (FI).

Launched together

BRO-4Re-entered 2025RADCUBERe-entered 2024LEDSATRe-entered 2025Pleiades Neo 4NORAD 49070
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.