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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

PetitSat

Re-entered 10 Apr 2023

PetitSat (NORAD 55130, COSPAR 1998-067UX) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Apr 2023, launched on 26 Nov 2022 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the GSFC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC 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

Launched26 Nov 2022 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Mar 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Mar 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 Apr 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID55130
COSPAR1998-067UX
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusCubesat 6U
Mass10 kg
ProgrammeGSFC Cube
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude412 × 417 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to PetitSat?

PetitSat re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 Apr 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 PetitSat re-enter the atmosphere?

PetitSat re-entered on 10 Apr 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built PetitSat?

PetitSat was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

MARIORe-entered 2023NUTSATRe-entered 2023LORISRe-entered 2023ORCASatRe-entered 2023DANTESatRe-entered 2023TJREVERBRe-entered 2023SPORTRe-entered 2023SS 1Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.