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[NRO Starshield P4]

Re-entered 2 Apr 2023

[NRO Starshield P4] (NORAD 51079, COSPAR 2022-002CZ) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 2023, launched on 13 Jan 2022 on the Transporter-3 mission. It was operated by NROC as part of the NRO Star P programme. The spacecraft was built by SPXS? on the Starlink? bus, with a mass of 300 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.

2022
launched
2023
re-entered
1
year on orbit
300
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Jan 2022 · on the Transporter-3 mission
Operational2 Feb 2023 · entered service
Retired31 Mar 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered2 Apr 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID51079
COSPAR2022-002CZ
TypeSatellite
OperatorNROC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPXS?
BusStarlink?
Mass300 kg (280 kg dry)
ProgrammeNRO Star P
CategorySIG?
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude525 × 535 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to [NRO Starshield P4]?

[NRO Starshield P4] re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 2 Apr 2023, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2022. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did [NRO Starshield P4] re-enter the atmosphere?

[NRO Starshield P4] re-entered on 2 Apr 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was [NRO Starshield P4] operational?

[NRO Starshield P4] was operational for roughly 2 months, from 2 Feb 2023 to 31 Mar 2023.

Who operated and built [NRO Starshield P4]?

[NRO Starshield P4] was operated by NROC and built by SPXS? (US).

Launched together

FossaSat-2E2Re-entered 2023ICEYE-X16Re-entered 2024Dove 2481Re-entered 2024Dove 2492Re-entered 2024Dove 247fRe-entered 2024Dove 2474Re-entered 2024Tevel-1Re-entered 2024SATLLA-2BRe-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.