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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Zhixing 3A

Re-entered 12 Feb 2023

Zhixing 3A (NORAD 54245, COSPAR 2022-050E) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Feb 2023, launched on 9 May 2022 on the Tianzhou-4 mission. It was operated by ZHIX as part of the Zhixing programme. The spacecraft was built by ZHIX on the Cubesat 6U ? bus, with a mass of 10 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
2023
re-entered
1
year on orbit
10
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 May 2022 · on the Tianzhou-4 mission
Operational1 Feb 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Feb 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Feb 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID54245
COSPAR2022-050E
TypeSatellite
OperatorZHIX
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerZHIX
BusCubesat 6U ?
Mass10 kg
ProgrammeZhixing
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude375 × 396 km
Inclination41.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zhixing 3A?

Zhixing 3A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Feb 2023, 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 Zhixing 3A re-enter the atmosphere?

Zhixing 3A re-entered on 12 Feb 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zhixing 3A?

Zhixing 3A was operated by ZHIX and built by ZHIX (CN).

Launched together

Tianzhou-4Re-entered 2022
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.