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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Lucy

Re-entered 16 Oct 2021

Lucy (NORAD 49328, COSPAR 2021-093A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Oct 2021, launched on 16 Oct 2021 on the Lucy mission. It was operated by GSFC / SWRI as part of the Discovery programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSSD on the Lucy bus, with a mass of 1,550 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
2021
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1,550
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Oct 2021 · on the Lucy mission
Re-entered16 Oct 2021 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID49328
COSPAR2021-093A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC / SWRI
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSSD
BusLucy
Mass1,550 kg (821 kg dry)
ProgrammeDiscovery
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude208 × -40,809 km
Inclination31.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Lucy?

Lucy re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Oct 2021, 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 Lucy re-enter the atmosphere?

Lucy re-entered on 16 Oct 2021, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Lucy?

Lucy was operated by GSFC / SWRI and built by LMSSD (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.