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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

DRO-A

Re-entered 18 Mar 2024

DRO-A (NORAD 59228, COSPAR 2024-048A) was a CN satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Mar 2024, launched on 13 Mar 2024 on the DRO-A/DRO-B mission. It was operated by China Aerospace / CSU CAS as part of the CAS DRO programme. The spacecraft was built by SECM on the DRO bus, with a mass of 400 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.

2024
launched
2024
re-entered
0
years on orbit
400
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Mar 2024 · on the DRO-A/DRO-B mission
Re-entered18 Mar 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID59228
COSPAR2024-048A
TypeSatellite
OperatorChina Aerospace / CSU CAS
Country / StateCN
ManufacturerSECM
BusDRO
Mass400 kg
ProgrammeCAS DRO
CategoryPLAN
Orbit (VHEO)
Altitude537 × 132,602 km
Inclination27.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DRO-A?

DRO-A re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 18 Mar 2024, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2024. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did DRO-A re-enter the atmosphere?

DRO-A re-entered on 18 Mar 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DRO-A?

DRO-A was operated by China Aerospace / CSU CAS and built by SECM (CN).

Launched together

DRO-BRe-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.