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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

TROPICS SV05

Re-entered 4 Dec 2025

TROPICS SV05 (NORAD 56442, COSPAR 2023-062A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Dec 2025, launched on 8 May 2023 on the Tropics SV05/SV06 mission. It was operated by MITLL as part of the MIT Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by BLCAN on the Cubesat 3U bus, with a mass of 4 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
2025
re-entered
2
years on orbit
4
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 May 2023 · on the Tropics SV05/SV06 mission
Operational12 Nov 2025 · entered service
Retired12 Nov 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Dec 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID56442
COSPAR2023-062A
TypeSatellite
OperatorMITLL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBLCAN
BusCubesat 3U
Mass4 kg
ProgrammeMIT Cube
CategoryEOSCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude538 × 555 km
Inclination32.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to TROPICS SV05?

TROPICS SV05 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Dec 2025, 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 TROPICS SV05 re-enter the atmosphere?

TROPICS SV05 re-entered on 4 Dec 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built TROPICS SV05?

TROPICS SV05 was operated by MITLL and built by BLCAN (US).

Launched together

TROPICS SV06Re-entered 2025
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.