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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

BurstCube

Re-entered 17 Sep 2024

BurstCube (NORAD 59562, COSPAR 1998-067WM) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Sep 2024, launched on 21 Mar 2024 on the 77KM No. 17501 mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the GSFC Cube programme. The spacecraft was built by GSFC on the Cubesat 6U bus, with a mass of 12 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
12
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched21 Mar 2024 · on the 77KM No. 17501 mission
Operational1 Aug 2024 · entered service
Retired1 Aug 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Sep 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID59562
COSPAR1998-067WM
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerGSFC
BusCubesat 6U
Mass12 kg
ProgrammeGSFC Cube
CategoryAST
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude409 × 416 km
Inclination51.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to BurstCube?

BurstCube re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Sep 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 BurstCube re-enter the atmosphere?

BurstCube re-entered on 17 Sep 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built BurstCube?

BurstCube was operated by GSFC and built by GSFC (US).

Launched together

MicroOrbiter-1Re-entered 2024CURTISRe-entered 2024KashiwaRe-entered 2024Killick-1Re-entered 2024UdeSatRe-entered 2024HyTIRe-entered 2024SNoOPIRe-entered 2024VIOLETRe-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.