CUTE
Re-entered 17 Jul 2026CUTE (NORAD 49263, COSPAR 2021-088D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Jul 2026, launched on 27 Sep 2021 on the Landsat 9 mission. It is catalogued as CUTE-LASP. It was operated by Colorado as part of the UCO programme. The spacecraft was built by UCO on the Cubesat 6U bus, with a mass of 10 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.
Lifecycle
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
What happened to CUTE?
CUTE re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Jul 2026, 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 CUTE re-enter the atmosphere?
CUTE re-entered on 17 Jul 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.
Who operated and built CUTE?
CUTE was operated by Colorado and built by UCO (US).