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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Light-1

Re-entered 16 Jan 2023

Light-1 (NORAD 51509, COSPAR 1998-067TG) was a UAE satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Jan 2023, launched on 21 Dec 2021 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by NYUAD as part of the NYUAD programme. The spacecraft was built by NYUAD 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
2023
re-entered
2
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Dec 2021 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational16 Jan 2023 · entered service
Retired16 Jan 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Jan 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID51509
COSPAR1998-067TG
TypeSatellite
OperatorNYUAD
Country / StateUAE
ManufacturerNYUAD
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeNYUAD
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude407 × 421 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Light-1?

Light-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Jan 2023, 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 Light-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Light-1 re-entered on 16 Jan 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Light-1?

Light-1 was operated by NYUAD and built by NYUAD (UAE).

Launched together

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