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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starlink 4578

Re-entered 16 Apr 2026

Starlink 4578 (NORAD 53965, COSPAR 2022-125B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Apr 2026, launched on 5 Oct 2022 on the Starlink Group 4-29 mission. It is catalogued as Starlink Group 4-29-02. It was operated by SpaceX as part of the Starlink 1.5 G4 programme. The spacecraft was built by SPXS on the Starlink bus, with a mass of 305 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
2026
re-entered
4
years on orbit
305
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Oct 2022 · on the Starlink Group 4-29 mission
Operational26 Jan 2026 · entered service
Retired4 Apr 2026 · end of operational service
Re-entered16 Apr 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID53965
COSPAR2022-125B
TypeSatellite
OperatorSpaceX
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerSPXS
BusStarlink
Mass305 kg (290 kg dry)
ProgrammeStarlink 1.5 G4
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude302 × 309 km
Inclination53.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starlink 4578?

Starlink 4578 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Apr 2026, 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 Starlink 4578 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starlink 4578 re-entered on 16 Apr 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was Starlink 4578 operational?

Starlink 4578 was operational for roughly 2 months, from 26 Jan 2026 to 4 Apr 2026.

Who operated and built Starlink 4578?

Starlink 4578 was operated by SpaceX and built by SPXS (US).

Launched together

Starlink Group 4-29-01NORAD 53964Starlink Group 4-29-25NORAD 53988Starlink Group 4-29-26Re-entered 2024Starlink Group 4-29-27Re-entered 2024Starlink Group 4-29-28NORAD 53991Starlink Group 4-29-29NORAD 53992Starlink Group 4-29-30NORAD 53993Starlink Group 4-29-31NORAD 53994
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.