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OrbAstro-AF-1

Re-entered 13 Jan 2026

OrbAstro-AF-1 (NORAD 56179, COSPAR 2023-054B) was a UK satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Jan 2026, launched on 15 Apr 2023 on the Transporter-7 mission. It was operated by ORBAS / AFORGE as part of the AstroForge programme. The spacecraft was built by ORBAS 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.

2023
launched
2026
re-entered
3
years on orbit
10
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Apr 2023 · on the Transporter-7 mission
Operational16 May 2024 · entered service
Retired16 May 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered13 Jan 2026 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID56179
COSPAR2023-054B
TypeSatellite
OperatorORBAS / AFORGE
Country / StateUK
ManufacturerORBAS
BusCubesat 6U
Mass10 kg
ProgrammeAstroForge
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude498 × 508 km
Inclination97.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to OrbAstro-AF-1?

OrbAstro-AF-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Jan 2026, 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 OrbAstro-AF-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

OrbAstro-AF-1 re-entered on 13 Jan 2026, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built OrbAstro-AF-1?

OrbAstro-AF-1 was operated by ORBAS / AFORGE and built by ORBAS (UK).

Launched together

IMECENORAD 56178NuSat-38NORAD 56202NuSat-37NORAD 56203GHGSAT-C6NORAD 56204FACSAT-2Re-entered 2025Lemur-2Re-entered 2024Pleiades Yearling 2.0Re-entered 2024Taifa-1Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.