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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Pioneer-02

Re-entered 27 Feb 2025

Pioneer-02 (NORAD 62662, COSPAR 2025-009BF) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Feb 2025, launched on 14 Jan 2025 on the Transporter-12 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.

2025
launched
2025
re-entered
0
years on orbit
275
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched14 Jan 2025 · on the Transporter-12 mission
Operational27 Feb 2025 · entered service
Retired27 Feb 2025 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Feb 2025 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID62662
COSPAR2025-009BF
TypeSatellite
OperatorVARDA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRLABLB
BusRL Pioneer
Mass275 kg (55 kg dry)
ProgrammePhoton
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude512 × 518 km
Inclination97.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pioneer-02?

Pioneer-02 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Feb 2025, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2025. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Pioneer-02 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pioneer-02 re-entered on 27 Feb 2025, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pioneer-02?

Pioneer-02 was operated by VARDA and built by RLABLB (US).

Launched together

Buzzzer-1NORAD 62609Dove 2539NORAD 62633Dove 253eNORAD 62634GARAI ANORAD 62635Dove 2522NORAD 62636Dove 253dNORAD 62637Dove 252fNORAD 62638Dove 2504NORAD 62639
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.