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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

LightCube

Re-entered 17 Oct 2023

LightCube (NORAD 56314, COSPAR 1998-067VF) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 2023, launched on 15 Mar 2023 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by ASU as part of the ASU programme. The spacecraft was built by ASU on the Cubesat 1U bus, with a mass of 1 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
2023
re-entered
0
years on orbit
1
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 Mar 2023 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Oct 2023 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Oct 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID56314
COSPAR1998-067VF
TypeSatellite
OperatorASU
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerASU
BusCubesat 1U
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeASU
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude412 × 420 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to LightCube?

LightCube re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Oct 2023, 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 LightCube re-enter the atmosphere?

LightCube re-entered on 17 Oct 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built LightCube?

LightCube was operated by ASU and built by ASU (US).

Launched together

ARKSAT-1Re-entered 2023AuroraSatRe-entered 2023Ex-Alta 2Re-entered 2023NEUDOSERe-entered 2023YukonSat-1Re-entered 2023Dragon C209.3Re-entered 2023
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.