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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PATCOOL

Re-entered 18 Nov 2022

PATCOOL (NORAD 51442, COSPAR 1998-067TE) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Nov 2022, launched on 21 Dec 2021 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by KSC / UFL as part of the KSC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by UFL/KSC 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
2022
re-entered
1
year on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Dec 2021 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Feb 2022 · entered service
Retired1 Feb 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered18 Nov 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID51442
COSPAR1998-067TE
TypeSatellite
OperatorKSC / UFL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerUFL/KSC
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeKSC Cube
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude409 × 421 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PATCOOL?

PATCOOL re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Nov 2022, 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 PATCOOL re-enter the atmosphere?

PATCOOL re-entered on 18 Nov 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PATCOOL?

PATCOOL was operated by KSC / UFL and built by UFL/KSC (US).

Launched together

GASPACSRe-entered 2022FEES-2Re-entered 2022TARGITRe-entered 2022DAILIRe-entered 2022Light-1Re-entered 2023GT-1Re-entered 2022Dragon C209.2Re-entered 2021
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.