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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Pioneer-01

Re-entered 21 Feb 2024

Pioneer-01 (NORAD 56959, COSPAR 2023-084AD) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Feb 2024, launched on 12 Jun 2023 on the Transporter-8 mission. It was operated by VARDA as part of the Photon programme. The spacecraft was built by RLABLB on the RL Pioneer bus, with a mass of 275 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
2024
re-entered
1
year on orbit
275
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Jun 2023 · on the Transporter-8 mission
Operational21 Feb 2024 · entered service
Retired21 Feb 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Feb 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID56959
COSPAR2023-084AD
TypeSatellite
OperatorVARDA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRLABLB
BusRL Pioneer
Mass275 kg (55 kg dry)
ProgrammePhoton
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude511 × 535 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pioneer-01?

Pioneer-01 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Feb 2024, 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 Pioneer-01 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pioneer-01 re-entered on 21 Feb 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pioneer-01?

Pioneer-01 was operated by VARDA and built by RLABLB (US).

Launched together

FossaSat-2E16Re-entered 2024Blackjack Aces-1NORAD 56956ION-SCV011NORAD 56957GHOST-3NORAD 56958Launcher Orbiter SN3NORAD 56960ICEYE-X26Re-entered 2026Tomorrow-R2Re-entered 2026ICEYE-X25NORAD 56963
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.