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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CERT-2 Payload

Re-entered 5 Oct 2024

CERT-2 Payload (NORAD 61448, COSPAR 2024-179A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 2024, launched on 4 Oct 2024 on the CERT-2 mission. It was operated by ULAL as part of the Centaur HCO programme. The spacecraft was built by ULAD on the CERT2 bus, with a mass of 1,500 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
1,500
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Oct 2024 · on the CERT-2 mission
Operational4 Oct 2024 · entered service
Retired4 Oct 2024 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Oct 2024 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID61448
COSPAR2024-179A
TypeSatellite
OperatorULAL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerULAD
BusCERT2
Mass1,500 kg
ProgrammeCentaur HCO
CategoryTECH
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude735 × -237,885 km
Inclination26.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CERT-2 Payload?

CERT-2 Payload re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 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 CERT-2 Payload re-enter the atmosphere?

CERT-2 Payload re-entered on 5 Oct 2024, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CERT-2 Payload?

CERT-2 Payload was operated by ULAL and built by ULAD (US).

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