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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Tianzhou-6

Re-entered 10 May 2023

Tianzhou-6 (NORAD 56446, COSPAR 2023-063A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 May 2023, launched on 10 May 2023 on the Tianzhou-6 mission. It was operated by CMSEO as part of the Tianzhou programme. The spacecraft was built by CAST on the Tianzhou bus, with a mass of 6,683 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
6,683
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 May 2023 · on the Tianzhou-6 mission
Operational19 Jan 2024 · entered service
Retired19 Jan 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered10 May 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID56446
COSPAR2023-063A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCMSEO
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerCAST
BusTianzhou
Mass6,683 kg (6,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeTianzhou
CategorySS
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude199 × 317 km
Inclination41.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Tianzhou-6?

Tianzhou-6 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 10 May 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 Tianzhou-6 re-enter the atmosphere?

Tianzhou-6 re-entered on 10 May 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Tianzhou-6?

Tianzhou-6 was operated by CMSEO and built by CAST (CN).

Launched together

Dalian 1 LianliRe-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.