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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Dove 242e

Re-entered 26 Nov 2024

Dove 242e (NORAD 55035, COSPAR 2023-001AC) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Nov 2024, launched on 3 Jan 2023 on the Transporter-6 mission. It was operated by Planet Labs as part of the Flock-4 programme. The spacecraft was built by PLAN on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 5.7 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.

2023
launched
2024
re-entered
1
year on orbit
5.7
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched3 Jan 2023 · on the Transporter-6 mission
Operational14 Oct 2024 · entered service
Retired14 Oct 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Nov 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID55035
COSPAR2023-001AC
TypeSatellite
OperatorPlanet Labs
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerPLAN
BusCubesat 3U
Mass5.7 kg
ProgrammeFlock-4
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude518 × 537 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Dove 242e?

Dove 242e re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Nov 2024, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2023. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Dove 242e re-enter the atmosphere?

Dove 242e re-entered on 26 Nov 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Dove 242e?

Dove 242e was operated by Planet Labs and built by PLAN (US).

Launched together

STAR VIBENORAD 55009Dove 24b1Re-entered 2025Lynk Tower 4NORAD 55034Umbra-05Re-entered 2025Lemur-2 FM164 (L3C)Re-entered 2024Lemur-2 FM167Re-entered 2024Dove 2415Re-entered 2024Dove 24c9Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.