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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Alfa Crux

Re-entered 5 Apr 2024

Alfa Crux (NORAD 52160, COSPAR 2022-033D) was a BR satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Apr 2024, launched on 1 Apr 2022 on the Transporter-4 mission. It was operated by UNB as part of the Brasilia programme. The spacecraft was built by ALENSP/UNB on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1 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
2024
re-entered
2
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Apr 2022 · on the Transporter-4 mission
Operational1 Mar 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Mar 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Apr 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID52160
COSPAR2022-033D
TypeSatellite
OperatorUNB
Country / StateBR
ManufacturerALENSP/UNB
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeBrasilia
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude499 × 511 km
Inclination97.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Alfa Crux?

Alfa Crux re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Apr 2024, 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 Alfa Crux re-enter the atmosphere?

Alfa Crux re-entered on 5 Apr 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Alfa Crux?

Alfa Crux was operated by UNB and built by ALENSP/UNB (BR).

Launched together

LEO-1NORAD 52157SpaceBEE T4-4Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE T4-1Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE T4-6Re-entered 2023NuSat 26NORAD 52184SpaceBEE T4-5Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE T4-10Re-entered 2023SpaceBEE T4-8Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.