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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Tianzhou-4

Re-entered 10 May 2022

Tianzhou-4 (NORAD 52509, COSPAR 2022-050A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 May 2022, launched on 9 May 2022 on the Tianzhou-4 mission. It was operated by CMSEO as part of the Tianzhou programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the Tianzhou bus, with a mass of 8,400 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
2022
re-entered
0
years on orbit
8,400
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 May 2022 · on the Tianzhou-4 mission
Operational14 Nov 2022 · entered service
Retired14 Nov 2022 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 May 2022 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID52509
COSPAR2022-050A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCMSEO
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerCAST
BusTianzhou
Mass8,400 kg (7,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeTianzhou
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude363 × 376 km
Inclination41.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Tianzhou-4?

Tianzhou-4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 May 2022, 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 Tianzhou-4 re-enter the atmosphere?

Tianzhou-4 re-entered on 10 May 2022, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Tianzhou-4?

Tianzhou-4 was operated by CMSEO and built by CAST (CN).

Launched together

Zhixing 3ARe-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.