Orbital Focus - International Spaceflight Facts and Figures
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Launches and Orbital Operations


Tyneside, UK
2025 May 16
Friday, Day 136

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Orbital elements based on amateur observations

Satellite observers' discussion group

Database of amateur observations using radio

Primary source of unclassified orbital elements
2020 - Launches to Orbit and Beyond

Listed are launches, irrespective of outcome, that were irretrievably committed to flight towards orbit or intended to accelerate the payload to escape velocity. The following notes should help with understanding the launch lists.

Launch times are in UTC and are either from the launching agency or estimated by 'walking back' along the ground track to the launch site. Most orbit data and decay information comes from SpaceTrack. The Space-Track data occasionally contains inconsistencies (eg - incorrect re-entry dates or early sets of elements allocated to the wrong object) that need to be corrected from other sources.

To fill the gaps where elements are not formally published, usually because they have a classification of "Secret", some orbits are based on amateur observations. Such data is published near-daily by Mike McCants. Occasionally, orbits are estimated by myself from public data.

Space-Track sometimes has insufficient information to allocate names to objects in its catalogue. In these cases, names are derived from public information.

Apogee and perigee are measured against a spherical Earth with a radius of 6378.145 km, assumed to be situated at the focus of the orbital ellipse. The value for the orbital period is the Anomalistic Period, or time to complete one circuit of the ellipse. It is not the same as the time taken to complete one circuit of the Earth. Care should be exercised when comparing Orbital Focus data with other published orbits because they may have been derived using a different model.

Users can go straight to specific launches by pointing to the page URL followed by the three digit launch number, eg - https://www.OrbitalFocus/Diaries/Launches/Launches.php?year=2020#001

You can keep up to date with changes or mission events by following Orbital Focus at Blue Sky.


2020-001
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 02)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Jan 7, 02:19
Starlink 1073
2020-001A
44914
Re-entered - 2025 Apr 22
Life 1932 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jan 13, 19:3866980.0001    32032190.9353.0086
2020 Jun 19, 22:0069280.0002    54955195.6553.00102
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jan 7
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter after about 1.5 circuits of the Earth and about two hours after lift-off. Any surviving fragments from its destructive re-entry impacted the southern Indian Ocean. Not catalogued.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-002
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Jan 7, 15:20
Tongxin Jishu Shiyan 5 (Communication Technology Test 5, TJS 5)
2020-002A
44978
in space
Described as a technology test satellite, TJS 5 is probably military in nature and possibly intended either for signals intelligence gathering (SIGINT) or to perform a missile early warning rôle. Precise launch time 15:20:14 UTC. Probably transferred to GEO Jan 9 and reached operational location the same day or shortly after. 2021 early-Feb, it was joined by by TJS 6 (47613/2021-10A) and they remained together until Apr 16, approaching to within 10 km of each other. After one month in drift orbit, arrived at new location.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Jan 8, 04:08243780.7304    19535804631.3227.46180
2020 Jan 17, 16:35421660.0002    35779357961436.151.0024178°.6 E
2021 Apr 16, 09:01421640.0002    35777357951436.060.0810178°.5 E
2021 Apr 18, 11:09423610.0002    35973359921446.110.09359
2021 Apr 25, 12:28423610.0003    35971359941446.120.102
2021 May 2, 14:23423610.0003    35970359961446.140.125
2021 May 8, 21:08423620.0003    35971359961446.170.147
2021 May 15, 19:44421640.0002    35777357951436.060.1638107°.5 E
2023 Feb 13, 05:34421650.0005    35768358061436.120.16150107°.5 E
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-002B
44979
Re-entered - 2021 Apr 3
Life 452 days
Launched TJS 5.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jan 9, 03:01236920.7241    15934469604.8927.45180


2020-003
CZ 2D
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Jan 15, 02:53
Jilin 1-Wide Field 01A (Jilin-1 KF01C, Red Flag-1 H9)
2020-003A
45016
in space
Imaging satellite for Earth resources and land studies, particularly in relation to mining and urban construction industries.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jan 16, 06:5068630.0011    47749294.3097.3426309:59
2023 Feb 13, 11:4169110.0001    53253495.3097.648910:01
ÑuSat 07 (Sophie)
2020-003B
45017
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 12
Life 1458 days
Small satellite from Satellogic of Argentina to provide earth images in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum using real-time imaging and video.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jan 16, 08:4568620.0011    47649294.2997.3426809:59
2023 Feb 13, 11:4668150.0010    43044493.3197.1820409:34
ÑuSat 08 (Marie)
2020-003C
45018
Re-entered - 2023 Oct 3
Life 1357 days
Small satellite from Satellogic of Argentina to provide earth images in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum using real-time imaging and video.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jan 16, 06:5268620.0012    47649294.2897.3426809:59
2023 Feb 13, 10:5168000.0009    41642893.0197.1920209:47
Tianqi 5 (Tianqi 2-03)
2020-003D
45019
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 8
Life 1667 days
6U Cubesat? - comsat providing messaging communication links from LEO including between Internet-connected items. Part of the planned 38 satellite Guodian Gaoke (Apocalypse) constellation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jan 15, 07:2068620.0012    47649294.2897.34281
2023 Feb 13, 12:1068340.0010    45046393.7297.19224
CZ 2D second stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jan 15
Life <1 day
Launched Jilin-1 Wide Field 01 and others. Caused to re-enter after releasing satellites. Not catalogued.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-004
Kuaizhou 1A
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Jan 16, 03:02
Yinhe 1 (Galaxy 1)
2020-004A
45024
in space
Comsat to provided 5G data connections between items of Internet-connected equipment. Demonstrator for a planned constellation from Galaxy Aerospace of China.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jan 17, 12:3170070.0011    62163797.2986.4026009:51
Kuaizhou 1A third stage
2020-004B
45025
Re-entered - 2020 Jan 18
Life 2 days
Launched Yinhe 01. Perigee lowered after releasing satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jan 16, 07:4068340.0491    12179293.7286.3932


2020-005
Ariane 5ECA (VA-251)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Jan 16, 21:05
GSat 30
2020-005A
45026
in space
High capacity comsat owned by the Indian Space Research Organisation. Will replace Insat 4A. Separated from launch vehicle at 21:43:25 UTC. Expected location 83° east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Jan 16, 22:49243820.7284    24335764631.476.04178
2020 Jan 19, 16:24398770.0606    31081359161320.790.34173
2020 Jan 21, 09:36422490.0011    35825359171440.410.11145
2020 Jan 24, 08:26421980.0011    35773358661437.790.1131980°.8 E
2020 Jan 28, 14:31421650.0003    35775357991436.110.103080°.9 E
2020 Feb 13, 09:42421650.0004    35770358041436.100.12683°.0 E
2023 Feb 12, 19:12421650.0001    35783357901436.100.0729083°.0 E
Eutelsat Konnect
2020-005B
45027
in space
High-capacity broadband satellite to deliver services across Europe and Africa, supporting community networks connected to Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile phone backhauling and rural connectivity. Separated from launch vehicle at 21:32:30 UTC. Transfer orbit converted to GEO over several months using electric propulsion. Expected location 7°.2 east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Jan 19, 20:25243970.7276    26735771632.066.06180
2020 Jan 23, 15:53246630.7237    43636133642.426.11184
2020 Feb 20, 12:56272580.6667    270839051746.446.06192
2020 Mar 11, 07:02297960.6176    501441821853.094.88199
2020 Mar 25, 19:00319100.5813    698144082945.464.04204
2020 Apr 9, 06:01341330.5439    9188463211045.973.38209
2020 Apr 26, 00:46362630.4848    12304474651145.382.68214
2020 May 2, 11:36368600.4565    13655473091173.792.41216
2020 May 20, 06:00385580.3631    18181461791255.841.76218
2020 Jun 2, 00:35393150.3068    20876449981293.021.44220
2020 Jun 12, 02:38398940.2490    23581434511321.681.14221
2020 Jun 25, 14:05408130.1704    27479413911367.590.83220
2020 Jul 6, 15:06413170.1037    30654392241393.020.55214
2020 Jul 16, 08:06419170.0439    33700373781423.450.29199
2020 Jul 21, 18:43420790.0093    35311360901431.720.191896°.8 E
2020 Jul 24, 09:09421650.0014    35726358481436.110.181787°.2 E
2023 Feb 12, 14:45421660.0000    35787357891436.150.052777°.2 E
Ariane 5 upper stage
2020-005D
45029
in space
Launched Eutelsat Konnect and GSat 30.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jan 21, 12:00242400.7283    20935516626.005.73180


2020-I01
SSIKLOPS small satellite deployer
International Space Station
2020 Jan 29, 04:20
STPSat 4 (Space Test Program Sat 4)
1998-067QY
45043
Re-entered - 2022 Oct 4
Life 979 days
Small satellite carrying five experimental payloads to study advanced spacecraft communications, navigation, power systems, as well as space weather and improved small-satellite tracking capability. The payloads were developed by the US Navy and the US Air Force as well as DoD research and academic institutions including the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Aerospace Corporation, and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jan 31, 08:3967970.0005    41642392.9551.65229


2020-006
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 03)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Jan 29, 13:06
Starlink-1132
2020-006A
45044
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits near 300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 7, 16:0066940.0009    31032190.8353.00340
2020 Jun 19, 22:0069280.0001    54955095.6453.00104
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jan 28
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Starlink satellites. Not catalogued - retro-fire caused destructive re-entry above the Indian Ocean about two hours, 1.5 circuits, after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-007
Electron (Birds Of a Feather, NRO L-151)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Jan 31, 02:54
USA 294
2020-007A
45110
in space
Small satellite from US National Reconnaissance Office, possibly testing or demonstrating satellite sensors. Launched under the NRO’s 'Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket' initiative. Orbit data based on amateur observations.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 4, 20:0669650.0013    57859696.4169.99275
Electron third stage (kick stage)
2019-007B
45111
in space
Launched USA 294. Orbit details based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2021 Apr 17, 22:3869570.0002    57758096.2470.00356
Electron second stage
2019-007C
45112
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 22
Life 22 days
Launched USA 294. Initial orbit is an estimate based on extrapolation of data from earlier Electron missions. Commencing 2020 Feb 18, orbit data was released routinely through SpaceTrack.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
estimated orbit67780.0310    19061092.5669.98245
2020 Feb 18, 15:0066360.0135    16834889.6769.98199


2020-008
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Feb 6, 21:42
OneWeb 0013
2020-008A
45131
in space
Broadband distribution satellite for the UK company OneWeb.

One of 34 similar satellites carried on this launch

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 16, 18:4768280.0015    43946093.5887.40255
Fregat rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 7
Life 1 day
Launched cluster of 34 OneWeb satellites. Released satellites in groups of 2/4 over the first 3.5 hrs after launch then caused to re-enter above the S Atlantic Ocean Feb 7 around 03:35 UTC.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-009
H-IIA 202 (F-41)
Tanegashima Space Centre
2020 Feb 9, 01:34
IGS 14 (IGS Optical 7)
2020-009A
45165
in space
Information Gathering Satellite - Japanese government/military optical imaging reconnaissance satellite. Orbital elements are based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Feb 12, 09:5968690.0005    48849594.4497.4034710:30
2020 Apr 6, 21:2668610.0003    48148594.2697.3735710:30
2021 Apr 6, 00:2068610.0007    47848794.2697.348910:29
HIIA upper stage
2020-009B
45166
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 22
Life 1534 days
Launched IGS 14. Orbit based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 26, 21:3468690.0015    48150194.4397.28242


2020-F01 - failed to reach orbit
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2020 Feb 9, 15:48
Zafar (Victory)
Imaging remote sensing satellite for monitoring natural resources, agricultural and environmental developments. Also carried low-bandwidth comms and messaging system. Aimed at 540 km orbit but lost when the launch vehicle failed to impart sufficient velocity. Re-entered over Indian Ocean.


2020-010
Atlas V 441
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Feb 10, 04:03
Solar Orbiter
2020-010A
45167
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 10
Life <1 day
Joint ESA/NASA Solar observing mission placed in heliocentric orbit with perihelion 42 million km and 168 days orbital period in resonance with Venus. Arrival expected early 2021 when Venus gravity assist will raise inclination to 25° relative to the ecliptic plane and allow observation of polar regions of the Sun.
Heliocentric orbit
Atlas V upper stage (Centaur)
2020-010B
45168
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 10
Life <1 day
Launched Solar Orbiter.
Heliocentric orbit


2020-011
Antares 230+
Mid Atlantic Regional Space Port, Wallops Island
2020 Feb 15, 20:21
Cygnus NG-13 (SS Robert H Lawrence)
2020-011A
45175
Re-entered - 2020 May 29
Life 104 days
Northrop Grumman vehicle carrying supplies to ISS under CRS-2 contract with NASA. Captured by ISS Remote Manipulator Feb 18 at 09:05 UTC then docked, under control from ground, with downward facing port on Unity at 11:16 UTC. Undocked May 11 and released from the RMS under crew control at 16:09 UTC. Retro-fire 2020 May 29 around 19:00 UTC led to destructive re-entry at approx 19:42 UTC near 40° south, 145° west.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 15, 21:5966090.0054    19526789.1251.62132
2020 Feb 16, 12:4066180.0050    20727389.3051.63138
2020 Feb 16, 18:3166280.0066    20629389.4951.63138
2020 Feb 17, 00:4767200.0107    26941391.3651.6442
2020 Feb 17, 12:4967900.0006    40841692.8051.638
2020 Feb 17, 19:1867930.0004    41241892.8751.64268
2020 Feb 18, 13:3467970.0005    41642292.9551.64288
2020 May 11, 12:5967970.0001    41841992.9451.64274
2020 May 12, 05:5368010.0001    42342493.0451.64270
2020 May 14, 02:4668580.0006    47548494.1951.64337
2020 May 28, 19:3568390.0122    37754493.8151.66349
2020 May 29, 05:2867360.0004    35536091.7051.64213
ULTP (Ubiquitilink Test Payload)
2020-011D
45605
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 9
Life 1515 days
6U Cubesat? - Testbed from Lynk for a satellite-ground communications using a mobile phone link where the satellite acts as the 'cell tower'. Released from Slingshot deployer on Cygnus NG-13 2020 May 13 at 23:25 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 16, 01:3168590.0007    47648694.2351.651
Antares second stage
2020-011C
45177
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 23
Life 8 days
Launched SS Robert H Lawrence.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 15, 21:5966100.0055    19626889.1451.64134


2020-012
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 04)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Feb 17, 15:05
Starlink-1138
2020-012A
45178
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 24
Life 1803 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle at 15:20 UTC.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 24, 22:0067140.0066    29138091.2553.0069
2020 Jun 20, 04:0069280.0001    54955195.6553.0090
Falcon 9 upper stage
2020-012BS
45242
Re-entered - 2020 Mar 5
Life 17 days
Launched cluster of Starlink satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 18, 18:2866610.0137    19237590.1853.0048


2020-013
Ariane 5ECA (VA-252)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Feb 18, 22:18
JCSat 17
2020-013A
45245
in space
High-bandwidth comsat owned by SKYPerfect of Japan, covering the Japanese islands and the surrounding region. Separated from launch vehicle at 22:45 UTC. Expected location 136° east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Feb 19, 10:21243460.7270    26835667630.076.00178
2020 Feb 20, 15:48250730.6782    169135699658.525.75179
2020 Feb 23, 03:49270670.5542    568935688738.625.28180
2020 Feb 25, 00:15333730.2625    18233357561011.224.68184
2020 Feb 28, 16:40421070.0013    35676357821433.157.00216135°.5 E
2020 Mar 4, 15:34421650.0003    35774357991436.087.01350136°.0 E
2023 Feb 10, 21:09421650.0005    35768358061436.125.94337136°.0 E
GEO-Kompsat 2B (Cheollian 2B)
2020-013B
45246
in space
South Korean Earth environment monitoring and ocean monitoring satellite. Separated from launch vehicle at 22:49 UTC. Expected location 128°.2 east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Feb 19, 10:01243330.7268    26935640629.576.00178
2020 Feb 20, 18:46247780.6971    112635674646.945.35179
2020 Feb 23, 02:45297750.4119    1113135662852.181.99180
2020 Feb 28, 17:40420630.0001    35681356891430.900.0597122°.2 E
2020 Mar 2, 15:14420900.0007    35684357401432.290.05340125°.8 E
2020 Mar 5, 18:44421170.0001    35734357431433.650.0468128°.0 E
2020 Mar 12, 14:02421640.0002    35780357931436.080.04299128°.3 E
2023 Feb 12, 20:29421650.0002    35779357941436.090.0515128°.3 E
Ariane 5 upper stage
2020-013D
45248
in space
Launched JCSat 17 and GEO-Kompsat 2B.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 22, 05:13242570.7268    24935508626.635.75178


2020-I02
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 07:10
RadSat-u (Radiation Satellite)
1998-067RF
45262
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 30
Life 801 days
3U Cubesat from Montana State University to demonstrate a radiation tolerant computer.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 23, 15:3067950.0007    41242292.9151.64333


2020-I03
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 09:35
Phoenix
1998-067RB
45258
Re-entered - 2022 Jun 12
Life 844 days
3U Cubesat designed by students from Arizona State University to study the Urban Heat Island effect associated with cities on the Earth's surface.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 22, 05:2867950.0006    41342192.9151.64273


2020-I04
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 11:20
QARMAN (Qubesat for Aerothermodynamic Research and Measurements on AblatioN)
1998-067RG
45263
Re-entered - 2022 Feb 6
Life 718 days
3U Cubesat designed to survive entry into Earth's atmosphere. Purpose is to demonstrate the use of a cubesat as a re-entry vehicle for future materials testing experiments. Also carries a sensor to observe lightning and auroral events at the Earth's limb. Precise release time 11:20:08 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 21, 20:1167950.0007    41242292.9251.64276


2020-I05
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 12:55
AztechSat 1
1998-067RA
45257
Re-entered - 2022 May 6
Life 807 days
1U Cubesat - built collaboratively by NASA and the Mexican Space Agency. Designed to demonstrate inter-satellite communication using satellites in the Globalstar constellation. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 22, 10:0767950.0008    41242392.9151.64292
CryoCube
1998-067RD
45260
Re-entered - 2021 Nov 23
Life 643 days
3U Cubesat from the Sierra Lobo company equipped with a deployable sunshade to allow parts of the payload to be cooled to cryogenic temperatures for fluid dynamics studies.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 23, 13:5867950.0008    41142292.9051.64294


2020-I06
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 14:30
SOCRATES (Signal of Opportunity Cubesat Ranging And Timing Experiment System)
1998-067RE
45261
Re-entered - 2021 Dec 10
Life 660 days
3U Cubesat from the University of Minnesota to study gamma-ray photons from deep space. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 22, 17:5167950.0008    41142292.9151.64291


2020-I07
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 16:00
HARP (Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter)
1998-067QZ
45256
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 4
Life 775 days
3U Cubesat from a consortium of research bodies. Designed to monitor the microphysical cloud water and ice particles in the Earth's atmosphere.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 21, 15:3367960.0007    41242292.9251.65286
Argus-02
1998-067RC
45259
Re-entered - 2022 Feb 7
Life 719 days
2U CubeSat to improve modeling of the effects of space radiation on modern electronics. Built, managed and operated by a team of students from Saint Louis and Vanderbilt Universities, it will monitor test circuits in orbit and provide data that will be compared to theoretical models. Replacement satellite for one lost in the Super Strypi launch failure 2015 Nov 4. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 23, 15:3167950.0008    41242292.9151.64296


2020-I08
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Feb 19, 17:40
SORTIE (Scintillation Observations and Response of the Ionosphere to Electrodynamics)
1998-067RH
45264
Re-entered - 2022 Sep 18
Life 942 days
6U Cubesat from NASA and a consortium of research institutions to study plasma waves in the Earth's ionosphere.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 21, 18:3967960.0007    41342392.9251.64297


2020-014
CZ 2D
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Feb 19, 21:07
XJS-C (New Technology Test Satellite - C)
2020-014A
45249
Re-entered - 2023 Jul 13
Life 1240 days
One of four simultaneously launched satellites designed to test inter-satellite communication network links and test new Earth observation technologies. Catalogue Number and Designation unconfirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 06:3368570.0005    47648394.1935.01270
XJS-D (New Technology Test Satellite - D)
2020-014B
45250
Re-entered - 2024 Jun 4
Life 1567 days
One of four simultaneously launched satellites designed to test inter-satellite communication network links and test new Earth observation technologies. Catalogue Number and Designation unconfirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 06:3368570.0004    47648194.1735.01258
XJS-E (New Technology Test Satellite - E)
2020-014C
45251
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 10
Life 1512 days
One of four simultaneously launched satellites designed to test inter-satellite communication network links and test new Earth observation technologies. Catalogue Number and Designation unconfirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 06:3068570.0006    47448394.1735.01282
XJS-F (New Technology Test Satellite - F)
2020-014E
45253
Re-entered - 2023 Nov 5
Life 1355 days
One of four simultaneously launched satellites designed to test inter-satellite communication network links and test new Earth observation technologies. Catalogue Number and Designation unconfirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 06:3368550.0006    47348194.1535.01296
CZ 2D second stage
2020-014D
45252
Re-entered - 2023 Feb 18
Life 1095 days
Launched group of four XJS satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 06:2068560.0005    47548194.1635.00239


2020-015
Soyuz-2.1a + Fregat
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 Feb 20, 08:24
Meridian 9 (Meridian-M № 19L)
2020-015A
45254
in space
HEO military/government comsat to support Russian forces, commercial shipping and communication ground stations at northern latitudes across Russia. Second mission for the Meridian-M version. Meridian also supports the clandestine short messaging system formerly provided by the Parus satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 20:43267370.7242    99539722725.1562.85295
2020 Mar 3, 22:14266110.7222    101339453720.0462.85295
2020 Mar 6, 15:52265590.7216    101739344717.9162.84295
2020 Mar 16, 09:34265500.7208    103639308717.5662.84295
Fregat rocket stage
2020-015B
45255
in space
Launched Meridian 9. Separated from Soyuz launch vehicle together with attached Meridian-M at 08:34 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Feb 20, 09:36265830.7275    86639543718.8862.86295
Soyuz upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 20
Life <1 day
Launched Meridian 9. Sub-orbital trajectory, re-entered above southern Pacific Ocean about 30 min after lift-off, accordingly not catalogued.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-016
Falcon 9 Block 5
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Mar 7, 04:50
SpaceX Dragon CRS-20
2020-016A
45341
Re-entered - 2020 Apr 7
Life 31 days Returned to Earth
Carrying a cargo to the ISS under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. Captured by ISS Remote Manipulator System under control of the ISS crew Mar 9 at 10:25 UTC. Docked with the Harmony module under ground control at 12:18 UTC. Undocked 2020 Apr 7 under ground control, and released from the RMS by the ISS crew at 13:06 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 7, 08:1066710.0134    20338290.3751.6347
2020 Mar 8, 05:0966720.0134    20438490.4051.6450
2020 Mar 8, 11:0067590.0008    37538692.1651.642
2020 Mar 9, 05:5567940.0006    41242092.9051.6413
2020 Mar 9, 12:1467970.0006    41542392.9551.646
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Mar 7
Life <1 day
Launched Dragon CRS-20. Performed retro-fire that also changed the orbital inclination to 47°.8. Destructive re-entry above the southern Pacific Ocean 65-70 min after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-017
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Mar 9, 11:57
Beidou 54 (Beidou-3 G-2)
2020-017A
45344
in space
Phase 2 operational satellite in China's navigation satellite system. It also provides time and messaging services for the Asia-Pacific region. Probably moved to geosynchronous drift orbit Mar 10 and arrived on-station shortly after.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Mar 9, 18:03243810.7289    23135775631.4528.43180
2020 Apr 1, 16:54421650.0002    35776357971436.083.084180°.0 E
2023 Feb 12, 13:23421650.0001    35783357911436.101.99080°.1 E
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-017B
45345
in space
Launched Beidou-3 G-2. Orbit lowered after releasing satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 9, 15:51236830.7224    19634414604.5328.45179


2020-F02 - failed to reach orbit
CZ 7A (Y-1)
Wenchang Space Centre
2020 Mar 16, 13:34
XJY-6
Chines government/military satellite - possibly either a SIGINT (signals intelligence) or a missile early warning mission. Aimed initially at geosynchronous transfer orbit. Lost when the launch vehicle second stage failed. First launch using CZ 7A.


2020-018
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 Mar 16, 18:28
Cosmos 2545 (Uragan-M)
2020-018A
45358
in space
GLONASS-M navigation satellite fill a gap in the GLONASS constellation as a replacement for a failed satellite in Plane 3. Released into MEO from the Fregat-M approx 22:20 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 17, 12:01255210.0005    1913119155676.2564.80264
2020 Apr 28, 07:19255080.0008    1910819151675.7264.82264
Fregat-M rocket stage
2020-018B
45359
in space
Launched Cosmos 2545.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 17, 14:48258450.0084    1924919683689.1564.78124


2020-019
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 05)
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Mar 18, 12:16
Starlink-1279
2020-019A
45360
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 26, 20:0066580.0095    21734390.1153.0079
2020 Jun 20, 04:0068180.0001    43944093.3753.0050
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Mar 18
Life <1 day
Launched sixty Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere about 80 mins after lift-off. Any surviving fragments hit the mid-western portion of the Pacific Ocean.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-020
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Mar 21, 17:06
OneWeb 0066
2020-020A
45424
in space
Broadband distribution satellite for the UK company OneWeb.

One of 34 similar satellites carried on this launch

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 22, 19:2968260.0022    43346393.5587.40295
2020 Jun 21, 14:0069770.0023    58361596.6687.56318
Fregat rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Feb 7
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of 34 OneWeb satellites. Released satellites in groups of 2/4 over the first 3.5 hrs after launch then caused to re-enter above the south Atlantic Ocean at about 23:30 UTC.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-021
CZ 2C
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Mar 24, 03:43
Yaogan 30-06A
2020-021A
45460
in space
One of a triplet of simultaneously-launched satellites described as being for "electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests”. That may indicate they are electronic intelligence gathering satellites. The three satellites are spaced at 120º intervals around the orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 25, 01:4469750.0008    59160296.6235.00274
2020 Mar 28, 07:0469810.0008    59760896.7535.0110
2020 Mar 29, 16:4669880.0013    60061996.8935.0048
2020 Mar 31, 20:2369900.0016    60162396.9335.0079
2020 Apr 11, 03:0569770.0005    59560296.6635.00258
2023 Feb 13, 09:5169710.0004    59059696.5535.00205
Yaogan 30-06B
2020-021B
45461
in space
One of a triplet of simultaneously-launched satellites described as being for "electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests”. That may indicate they are electronic intelligence gathering satellites. The three satellites are spaced at 120º intervals around the orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 24, 19:1869750.0008    59160296.6135.00272
2020 Mar 29, 04:1069780.0007    59560596.6934.991
2020 Mar 31, 15:2269820.0008    59861096.7735.0046
2020 Apr 11, 00:5669770.0003    59760196.6735.00190
2023 Feb 13, 09:1969720.0002    59259596.5535.0089
Yaogan 30-06C
2020-021C
45462
in space
One of a triplet of simultaneously-launched satellites described as being for "electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests”. That may indicate they are electronic intelligence gathering satellites. The three satellites are spaced at 120º intervals around the orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 25, 01:4469750.0008    59160296.6135.00275
2023 Feb 13, 08:4769720.0003    59259596.5535.00273
CZ 2C second stage
2020-021D
45463
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 25
Life 1493 days
Launched cluster of three Yaogan-30 satellites. Perigee lowered after satellite release.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 25, 13:5568800.0151    39860694.6534.6877


2020-022
Atlas V 551
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Mar 26, 20:18
TDO 2 (Technology Demonstration Orbiter)
2020-022A
45464
Re-entered - 2022 Sep 28
Life 916 days
12U Cubesat (4x3), possibly equipped with laser retro-reflectors for visual tracking. Purpose is for calibration of laser-based tracking equipment on the ground. Released from the Centaur aft bulkhead at 20:47 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 27, 07:01242090.7282    20135460624.7626.50180
USA 298 (AEHF 6)
2020-022B
45465
in space
Advanced Extremely High Frequency US military and government communications satellite. Lift-off was 81 minutes into a 120 minute launch window after a delay caused by a fault in an item of ground equipment. Separated from launch vehicle Mar 27, 01:59 UTC. Orbit raised in stages until Apr 6 when all activity ceased until Apr 24. Satellite then resumed orbit raising by frequent operation of a low power thruster.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Mar 27, 14:10297020.4036    1133635311849.0613.71180
2020 Mar 29, 16:59311070.3402    1414735311910.0312.51180
2020 Mar 30, 19:01332820.2540    18450353571007.1011.06180
2020 Apr 2, 22:42349670.1922    21868353111084.5610.33181
2020 Apr 6, 12:17368040.1327    25543353091171.149.64182
2020 Apr 24, 08:32368050.1326    25546353081171.179.60183
2020 Apr 28, 20:02370440.1248    26044352891182.629.51183
2020 May 8, 08:23374650.1152    26772354011202.819.31184
2020 May 18, 20:51380200.0876    28313349701229.628.99185
2020 May 28, 16:59386060.0705    29505349501258.158.69186
2020 Jun 7, 18:00391800.0541    30682349211286.338.34188
2020 Jun 17, 00:35395560.0435    31458348981304.908.24187
2020 Jun 29, 09:08398020.0398    31839350081317.078.10181
2020 Jul 9, 15:35408160.0256    33394354811367.747.76186
2020 Jul 21, 07:37420030.0209    34745365041427.827.54182
2020 Jul 24, 10:13421540.0197    34944366081435.557.50181103°.0 W
2020 Sep 8, 14:07421510.0129    35227363191435.397.3918097°.2 W
2020 Sep 21, 04:48421670.0057    35547360321436.237.3718395°.0 W
2020 Sep 23, 04:10421570.0050    35568359891435.687.3618094°.8 W
2020 Oct 6, 14:01421640.0003    35773357991436.067.3228194°.2 W
2023 Feb 12, 15:22421660.0051    35572360041436.165.396137°.7 E
Atlas V upper stage (Centaur)
2020-022C
45466
in space
Launched USA 298 (AEHF 6) and TDO 2.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Mar 27, 14:01294590.4148    1086035302838.6713.43180


2020-023
Soyuz-2.1a
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Apr 9, 08:05
Soyuz MS-16 (Soyuz 11F732A48 № 746)
2020-023A
45476
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 22
Life 196 days Returned to Earth
Carrying crew to ISS - Anatoly Ivanishin & Ivan Vagner (Roscosmos) and Chris Cassidy (NASA). Third seat was originally allocated to Akihiko Hoshide (JAXA) but NASA planning during 2019 pushed him off the flight. Precise launch time 08:05:06 UTC. First use of Soyuz-2 1A for human spaceflight. Docked with Poisk module of ISS Apr 9 with soft dock at 14:13:21 UTC and hard dock about 2 min later. Undocked, carrying original crew, 2020 Oct 21 at 23:32 UTC. Retro-fire Oct 2 at 02:00 UTC led to landing at 02:54:12 UTC 147 km south east of Dzhezkazgan, Russia.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
estimated orbit65830.0015    19521588.5951.6468
2020 Apr 9, 11:1166820.0128    21838990.5951.75181
2020 Apr 9, 14:2167990.0004    41842392.9851.65100
2020 Oct 20, 12:0667970.0001    41842092.9451.6452
Soyuz upper stage
2020-023B
45477
Re-entered - 2020 Apr 12
Life 3 days
Launched Soyuz MS-16.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 9, 12:3965850.0019    19422088.6451.6671


2020-F03 - failed to reach orbit
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Apr 9, 11:46
Palapa N1 (Nusantara 2)
Indonesian domestic comsat built by China. Unclear whether the company, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, owned the satellite or planned to lease the transponders from China. Expected location - 113° east, replacing Palapa D1. Lost when the launch vehicle upper stage failed and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere above the western Pacific Ocean.


2020-024
Qased (Messenger)
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran
2020 Apr 22, 03:58
Nour 1 (Light 1)
2020-024A
45529
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 13
Life 721 days
6U Cubesat - military satellite launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, probably for low resolution Earth imaging.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 23, 06:1168100.0007    42643693.2059.81232
Qased upper stage
2020-024B
45530
Re-entered - 2023 Mar 19
Life 1061 days
Launched Nour 1.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 23, 07:2568140.0013    42744593.2959.80213


2020-025
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 06)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Apr 22, 19:30
Starlink-1329
2020-025A
45531
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 29, 16:0067030.0056    28836391.0353.0174
2020 May 1, 20:0067180.0031    31936191.3453.0185
2020 May 3, 04:0067280.0018    33736291.5353.0193
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Apr 22
Life <1 day
Launched sixty Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere about 80 mins after lift-off. Any surviving fragments hit the mid-western portion of the Pacific Ocean.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-026
Soyuz-2.1a
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Apr 25, 01:51
Progress MS-14 (Progress 7K-MS №448)
2020-026A
45595
Re-entered - 2021 Apr 29
Life 369 days
Supplies to ISS. Docked with rear port of Zvezda Apr 25 at 05:11 UTC. undocked 2021 Apr 28, 20:11:30 UTC. Retro-fire Apr 29, 00:01:20 UTC led to destructive. re-entry at 00:34:23 UTC and any surviving fragments hit the ocean surface around 00:43 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 25, 01:4065860.0029    18922688.6551.6684
2020 Apr 25, 12:3867970.0002    41842092.9451.64187
2021 Apr 28, 22:1067970.0003    41742192.9551.64272
Soyuz upper stage
2020-026B
45596
Re-entered - 2020 Apr 28
Life 3 days
Launched Progress MS-14.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 25, 06:0565810.0025    18621988.5551.6666


2020-I09
JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Apr 28, 15:20
G-SATELLITE (Gundam satellite)
1998-067RK
45597
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 18
Life 720 days
3U Cubesat to promote the (postponed) 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Intended to act as a bulletin board, and transmit video images of two miniature figures of Japanese animation characters, plus messages and voice recordings in their voices. The actual release time may have been 2-3 hours later than Quetzal. Dumped overboard from ISS as space junk since its purpose no longer existed. Release from ISS was not formally reported within Japan.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 30, 13:4067940.0005    41342092.9051.64245
Quetzal 1
1998-067RL
45598
Re-entered - 2022 Mar 1
Life 672 days
1U Cubesat from Guatemala to test a multispectral sensor to acquire remote sensing data for natural resource management such as monitoring water quality in inland water bodies.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 30, 13:4067950.0003    41541992.9251.65273


2020-027
CZ 5B
Wenchang Space Centre
2020 May 5, 10:00
New Generation Piloted Spacecraft
2020-027A
45599
Re-entered - 2020 May 8
Life 3 days Returned to Earth
Test version of new Chinese piloted spacecraft, no crew carried. Retro-fire was completed May 8, 04:21 UTC, followed by Crew Module separation at 05:33 UTC that led to landing at 05:49 UTC, approx 500 km east of Jiuquan Space Centre. Re-entry employed an Apollo/Zond type skip-lob to reduce loading from about 12G to about 5G when compared to a ballistic landing. The final orbit listed is based on a pre-launch description of the vehicle reaching approx 8,000 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 5, 14:1266480.0162    16237789.9041.09168
2020 May 5, 18:4967990.0285    22761492.9841.12123
2020 May 5, 23:5868870.0305    29971994.8041.10102
2020 May 6, 15:0590280.2580    3214980142.2941.10104
2020 May 6, 21:5590240.2578    3204971142.1841.09105
2020 May 7, 01:0197780.2943    5236278160.3842.85112
estimated orbit105600.3450    5397825180.0042.85110
Inflatable Heat Shield Experiment
2020-027B
45600
Re-entered - 2020 May 6
Life 1 day
Test of version of lightweight cargo return vehicle for use with planned Chinese space station. Fitted with a 3m diameter, conical, inflatable heat shield. Released from service module of main spacecraft shortly after reaching orbit and expected to re-enter May 6 to make a landing at approx 05:20 UTC - about 600 km east of the Jiuquan Space Centre. A problem during descent from orbit meant that the experiment failed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 5, 17:1966450.0159    16237389.8641.10170
CZ 5B second stage
2020-027C
45601
Re-entered - 2020 May 11
Life 6 days
Launched spacecraft test mission. Major aim of launch was to prove the vehicle for launching elements of China's planned space station.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 5, 14:1266430.0161    15837289.8041.10167


2020-028
Kuaizhou 1A
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 May 12, 01:16
Xingyun-2 01
2020-028A
45602
in space
One of a simultaneously-launched pair of internet comsats. Technical verification vehicle as a precursor to a planned constellation of eighty satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 May 12, 09:0969430.0012    55757395.9697.5526607:35
2023 Feb 13, 13:0569370.0015    54957095.8497.466506:18
Xingyun-2 02
2020-028B
45603
in space
One of a simultaneously-launched pair of internet comsats. Technical verification vehicle as a precursor to a planned constellation of eighty satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 May 12, 07:3369430.0011    55757295.9597.5526707:35
2023 Feb 13, 08:0069380.0012    55156895.8597.5311706:38
Kuaizhou 1A third stage
2020-028C
45604
Re-entered - 2020 Jul 8
Life 57 days
Launched pair of Xingyun satellites. Orbit perigee lowered after releasing satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 12, 05:4769400.0579    16096395.8997.565


2020-029
Atlas V 501
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 May 17, 13:14
USA 299 (OTV-6, X-37B#1 Flight 3)
2020-029A
45606
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 12
Life 909 days Returned to Earth
Flight of USAF/Boeing X-37B space plane. First to be equipped with a service module. Launch delayed from May 16 by weather. The first orbit listed is an estimate, subsequent orbits are based on amateur observation. Landed Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility 2022 Nov 12 at 10:22 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 17, 13:1867310.0013    34436191.5944.9570
2020 May 31, 01:3467670.0002    38839192.3444.97104
2020 Jun 14, 02:1367650.0005    38439092.2945.0265
2021 Oct 17, 20:5167660.0003    38639092.3145.04119
2021 Oct 28, 03:1667140.0020    32234991.2445.04288
2022 Apr 11, 20:1167140.0011    32834391.2445.03251
2022 Oct 4, 19:1167140.0008    33034191.2445.03293
USA 300
2020-029B
45610
in space
Small satellite released from USA 299, probably from the service module and probably 2020 May 28 or May 29. Purpose unknown.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
estimated orbit67670.0002    38839192.3444.97104
Falconsat 8
2020-029C
49381
in space
Small satellite released from USA 299, possibly as late as 2021 Nov 1. Carries five experiments/demonstrations built by cadets at the US Air Force Academy.
Orbit parameters awaited
Atlas V upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 May 17
Life <1 day
Launched USA 299 (OTV-6/X-37B). Caused to re-enter above southern Indian Ocean about 55 minutes after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable
X-37B service module
2020-029D
54246
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 21
Life 918 days
Supported USA 299 (OTV-6/X-37B) while in space. Separated from it probably 2022 Nov 12, prior to retro-fire. Probably no longer in orbit, re-entry date to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2022 Nov 13, 19:2966140.0004    23423989.2345.0325
2022 Nov 16, 14:1466030.0004    22222889.0045.0329
2022 Nov 17, 12:2465990.0004    21822388.9145.0341


2020-030
H-IIB (F-9)
Tanegashima Space Centre
2020 May 20, 17:31
HTV-9 (Kounotori 9)
2020-030A
45607
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 20
Life 92 days
Japanese supply vehicle to the ISS. Captured by ISS Remote Manipulator operated by the crew on May 25 at 12:13 UTC. Docked under ground control with the downward-facing port of Harmony module at 14:46 UTC. All securing bolts were in place by 15:25 UTC. Undocked 2020 Aug 18 then released from ISS RMS at 17:36 UTC. Three thruster firings Aug 20 led to destructive re-entry above the southern Pacific Ocean at 07:07 UTC. Any surviving fragments hit the ocean surface between 07:19 and 07:57 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 20, 22:5966220.0086    18730189.3951.67314
2020 May 21, 07:5566720.0012    28530290.3951.70253
2020 May 25, 05:0767850.0012    39941692.7151.65355
2020 May 25, 09:4667970.0002    41742092.9451.64350
2020 May 26, 08:5967970.0002    41742092.9451.64355
2020 Aug 18, 04:3967970.0002    41842092.9551.6540
2020 Aug 18, 17:3667990.0002    42042292.9951.7742
2020 Aug 18, 20:4367930.0004    41241792.8651.6632
2020 Aug 19, 23:0967920.0001    41341592.8551.6456
H-IIB upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 May 20
Life <1 day
Launched HTV-9. Caused to re-enter above the southern Pacific Ocean about 35 minutes after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-031
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 May 22, 07:31
Cosmos 2546 (EKS 4/Tundra 14L)
2020-031A
45608
in space
Missile early warning satellite capable of tracking missiles and other heat sources in the Earth's atmosphere and in space. May also carry a strategic communications system for use by the Russian Military.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 23, 08:52264590.6964    165438507713.8563.82270
2020 Jun 2, 18:58264950.6965    166438570715.3363.81270
2020 Jun 5, 09:42265300.6967    166938636716.7663.80270
2020 Jun 7, 07:01265510.6970    166838679717.6163.81270
Fregat rocket stage
2020-031B
45609
in space
Launched Cosmos 2546 (EKS 4).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 23, 08:35264850.6960    167338540714.9163.84270
Soyuz upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 May 22
Life <1 day
Launched Cosmos 2546 (EKS 4). Trajectory was sub-orbital and it re-entered above the southern Pacific Ocean.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-F04 - failed to reach orbit
LauncherOne
Boeing 747, Pacific Ocean off California
2020 May 25, 18:50
Dummy Payload
Carried on first orbital test mission by Virgin Orbit air launched rocket. Lost when the launch vehicle shut down following release from Boeing 747 and shortly after ignition. Aimed at an orbit with about 63° inclination. Launch time may have been 18:49 UTC.


2020-032
CZ 11
Xichang Space Centre
2020 May 29, 20:13
XJS-G (New Technology Test Satellite - G)
2020-032A
45611
in space
One of a pair of simultaneously launched satellites designed to test inter-satellite communication network links and test new Earth observation technologies.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 30, 20:0568550.0013    46848694.1435.04303
2020 Jun 3, 09:5768540.0018    46448994.1335.04346
XJS-H (New Technology Test Satellite - H)
2020-032B
45612
Re-entered - 2024 May 21
Life 1453 days
One of a pair of simultaneously launched satellites designed to test inter-satellite communication network links and test new Earth observation technologies.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 30, 13:3668540.0014    46648694.1335.03308
CZ 11 fourth stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 May 29
Life <1 day
Launched pair of XJS satellites. Caused to re-enter after releasing the satellites.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-033
Falcon 9 Block 5
Kennedy Space Center
2020 May 30, 19:22
SpaceX Dragon Crew Demo 2 (Dragon Endeavour flight #1)
2020-033A
45623
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 2
Life 64 days Returned to Earth
First Crew Dragon mission to carry a crew, and its final test flight. Commercial mission to ISS by SpaceX. Crew of NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (spacecraft commander) and Robert Behnken. Docked with the forward-facing port of the Harmony module May 31 at 16:16 UTC with hard docking at 14:20 UTC. Hooks and larches were engaged a few minutes later. Undocked 2020 Aug 1 at 22:35 UTC carrying its original crew. Retro-fire for 12 min 2020 Aug 2 at 17:56 UTC led to splash-down in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola, northern Florida at 18:47:48 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 May 30, 19:4665780.0016    19021188.5051.64359
2020 May 30, 20:2466450.0084    21132389.8551.62212
2020 May 30, 22:4567840.0007    40141092.6751.64217
2020 May 31, 01:5967860.0002    40740992.7351.65205
2020 May 31, 06:3767970.0002    41742092.9451.6414
2020 Aug 1, 06:0267970.0001    41942092.9651.64339
2020 Aug 2, 00:1267970.0004    41642292.9551.65186
2020 Aug 2, 03:5767870.0001    40840992.7451.6419
2020 Aug 2, 11:4166380.0155    15636389.7051.6912
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 May 30
Life <1 day
Launched Crew Dragon Demo 2 mission. Caused to re-enter above the southern Indian Ocean about 55 minutes after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable
Crew Dragon trunk module
2020-033B
46024
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 11
Life 195 days
Separated from Dragon Endeavour 2020 August 2 at 17:51 UTC, prior to retrofire.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 3, 15:5067220.0095    27940791.4051.6568


2020-034
CZ 2D
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 May 31, 08:53
Gaofen 9-02
2020-034A
45624
Re-entered - 2024 Mar 20
Life 1389 days
Carries a high-resolution optical system to support a remote sensing programme based on LEO and GEO satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 May 31, 23:1368710.0012    48550194.4797.2827915:14
2023 Feb 13, 08:5768350.0011    44946493.7297.412115:12
Head 2C (Head 4)
2020-034B
45625
in space
Application satellite from Head Aerospace in the Skywalker constellation, carrying a VDES, enhanced AIS receiver for ship-shore communications, and providing communications between internet-connected devices.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 May 31, 14:5968730.0012    48750394.5197.2827115:14
2023 Feb 13, 14:2368740.0016    48550694.5397.422914:52
CZ 2D second stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 May 31
Life <1 day
Launched Gaofen 9-02 and Head 4. Caused to re-enter after releasing satellites.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-035
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 07)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Jun 4, 01:35
Starlink-1440
2020-035A
45657
Re-entered - 2020 Jul 14
Life 40 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 11, 20:0066640.0104    21735590.2453.0079
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jun 4
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above western Pacific Ocean about 90 mins after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-036
CZ 2C
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Jun 10, 18:31
Haiyang 1-04 (Ocean 1-04)
2020-036A
45721
in space
Oceanographic studies satellite equipped with an ocean colour temperature scanner and an imaging system to study coastal zones.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jun 11, 02:1971560.0011    770785100.4098.4426601:38
2023 Feb 13, 10:1871560.0004    775780100.4198.549101:25
CZ 2C second stage
2020-036B
45722
in space
Launched Haiyang 1D. Perigee lowered after releasing satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 10, 21:4071160.0055    69977799.5798.5479


2020-037
Electron (Don't Stop Me Now)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Jun 13, 05:12
USA 301
2020-037A
45723
in space
Small satellite launched under National Reconnaissance Office 'Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket' initiative. Mission details not available but it is related to intelligence-gathering. May raise orbit. One of three similar satellites carried on the same launch vehicle. Orbit details are classified.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
estimated orbit69630.0007    58059096.3897.7027018:03
USA 302
2020-037B
45724
in space
Small satellite launched under National Reconnaissance Office 'Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket' initiative. Mission details not available but it is related to intelligence-gathering. May raise orbit. One of three similar satellites carried on the same launch vehicle. Orbit details are classified.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
estimated orbit69630.0007    58059096.3897.7027018:03
USA 303
2020-037C
45725
in space
Small satellite launched under National Reconnaissance Office 'Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket' initiative. Mission details not available but it is related to intelligence-gathering. May raise orbit. One of three similar satellites carried on the same launch vehicle. Orbit details are classified.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
estimated orbit69630.0007    58059096.3897.7027018:03
ANDESITE (nonsensical acronym)
2020-037D
45726
in space
6U Cubesat created by students and staff at Boston University under NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative. Earth magnetic field studies, carrying eight subsidiary pico satellites that will be ejected at intervals and in pairs to provide a long baseline for observations. They are equipped to track electric currents flowing in and out of the atmosphere and relay data back to the parent satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 18, 11:2669700.0013    58360196.5297.71285
M2 Pathfinder
2020-037E
45727
in space
3U Cubesat from the University of New South Wales Canberra Space, built for the Royal Australian Air Force to test systems for a future military satellite. Among other, undisclosed, tasks the satellite will demonstrate the ability of a software-based radio to operate and be reconfigured while in orbit. It may also carry an Earth-imaging system and an AIS receiver to monitor shipping locations.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jun 18, 11:3069720.0012    58660296.5797.7030017:33
Electron third stage (kick stage)
2020-037F
45728
in space
Launched cluster of small satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
estimated orbit69730.0010    58860296.5897.76270
Electron second stage
2020-037G
45729
Re-entered - 2020 Jul 8
Life 25 days
Launched cluster of small satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
estimated orbit67710.0292    19559092.4197.70270
2020 Jun 30, 16:1666800.0192    17343090.5597.72161


2020-038
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 08)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Jun 13, 09:21
Starlink-1461
2020-038A
45730
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 23
Life 1532 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of fifty eight LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle about 38 minutes after lift-off.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 17, 22:0066700.0105    22236190.3553.0066
Skysat 16 (Skysat C14)
2020-038BL
45788
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 30
Life 1539 days
Commercial Earth-imaging satellite from Planet Labs providing high resolution images and video. Released from launch vehicle about 12 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 16, 13:5966650.0113    21236290.2553.0062
2020 Jun 20, 17:2066900.0087    25336990.7553.0260
2020 Jun 23, 17:5867000.0077    27037490.9753.0059
2020 Jun 24, 21:1667100.0064    28937591.1753.0069
2020 Jun 27, 20:4267200.0049    30837591.3753.0077
2020 Jun 29, 13:5067290.0036    32737591.5553.0080
2020 Jul 1, 10:0567370.0023    34437591.7253.0082
2020 Jul 3, 09:2967460.0010    36037591.8953.0080
2020 Jul 5, 10:3067530.0002    37437692.0553.00300
2020 Jul 7, 20:4967610.0013    37539292.2253.00254
2020 Jul 10, 11:5267690.0010    38439792.3653.00206
2020 Jul 11, 09:2667750.0001    39639892.5153.00108
2020 Jul 15, 21:2067780.0002    39840192.5553.00319
Skysat 18 (Skysat C16)
2020-038BM
45789
Re-entered - 2024 Sep 25
Life 1565 days
Commercial Earth-imaging satellite from Planet Labs providing high resolution images and video. Released from launch vehicle about 12 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 17, 20:0366650.0112    21236290.2553.0067
2020 Jun 21, 02:3466900.0084    25636890.7653.0061
2020 Jun 22, 02:4767010.0077    27137490.9853.0054
2020 Jun 24, 15:2467090.0066    28637591.1453.0072
2020 Jun 26, 11:2867180.0056    30237791.3353.0068
2020 Jun 28, 10:4067260.0043    31937791.5053.0073
2020 Jul 1, 16:2967420.0018    35237691.8253.0192
2020 Jul 4, 10:1767500.0008    36637791.9853.0075
2020 Jul 5, 15:2367570.0008    37338492.1353.01213
2020 Jul 8, 12:2967640.0012    37839492.2753.00248
2020 Jul 27, 08:2067710.0008    38739892.4153.00256
Skysat 17 (Skysat C15)
2020-038BN
45790
Re-entered - 2024 Oct 9
Life 1579 days
Commercial Earth-imaging satellite from Planet Labs providing high resolution images and video. Released from launch vehicle about 12 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 17, 11:0266660.0111    21436290.2753.0065
2020 Jun 20, 11:2566890.0085    25436790.7353.0060
2020 Jun 21, 16:4267020.0084    26738091.0053.0053
2020 Jun 25, 03:3667100.0065    28837691.1753.0071
2020 Jun 27, 08:5067190.0055    30437891.3653.0069
2020 Jun 30, 13:0167280.0042    32237891.5353.0077
2020 Jul 1, 10:2367360.0030    33837891.7053.0077
2020 Jul 3, 09:4767440.0018    35437891.8753.0079
2020 Jul 5, 09:1567520.0006    37037892.0353.0070
2020 Jul 7, 11:5267600.0006    37838592.1853.00279
2020 Jul 9, 13:0267670.0013    37939792.3253.00239
2020 Jul 23, 21:3267730.0010    38840292.4653.00238
2020 Jul 25, 21:1867770.0005    39540392.5453.00272
2020 Aug 6, 12:1867770.0005    39540392.5453.00323
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jun 13
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Skysat and Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above western Pacific Ocean around 90 mins after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-039
CZ 2D
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Jun 17, 07:19
Gaofen 9-03
2020-039A
45794
in space
Carries a high-resolution optical system to support a remote sensing programme based on LEO and GEO satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jun 17, 21:2968730.0012    48750394.5297.3226313:39
2020 Jun 20, 07:3968700.0016    48150394.4697.3227213:39
2020 Jul 29, 16:5668730.0014    48550494.5197.3212713:38
2023 Feb 13, 12:2868740.0012    48850394.5297.4110113:26
ZP 3 (Zhejiang University Pi Satellite 3)
2020-039B
45795
Re-entered - 2024 Oct 30
Life 1596 days
Small satellite described as testing pico-satellite and nano-satellite technologies.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jun 18, 03:4268720.0012    48650394.5097.3226713:39
2023 Feb 13, 10:5768490.0013    46247994.0197.418213:40
Head 2D (Head 5)
2020-039C
45796
Re-entered - 2023 Dec 7
Life 1268 days
Application satellite from Head Aerospace in the Skywalker constellation, carrying a VDES, enhanced AIS receiver for ship-shore communications, and providing communications between internet-connected devices.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jun 17, 21:2968710.0013    48550294.4897.3227613:39
2023 Feb 13, 13:0568270.0011    44245693.5697.417113:49
CZ 2D second stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jun 17
Life <1 day
Launched Gaofen 9-03, Head 4 and ZP-3. Caused to re-enter soon after releasing satellites.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-I10
Dextre Arm + Kaber Micro Satellite Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Jun 17, 17:50
RedEye 2 (Merlot)
1998-067RM
45800
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 16
Life 882 days
Small satellite from DARPA, possibly for testing inter-satellite communication links.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 19, 17:3267960.0002    41741992.9351.6475


2020-040
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Jun 23, 01:43
Beidou 55 (Beidou-3 G-3)
2020-040A
45807
in space
Phase 2 operational satellite in China's navigation satellite system. It also provides time and messaging services for the Asia-Pacific region. Final satellite required to complete the Beidou system. Probably manoeuvred to geosynchronous drift orbit by Jun 25 and arrived on station by Jun 30.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Jun 23, 14:41243830.7295    21835791631.5228.42180
2020 Jul 6, 16:57421650.0005    35764358091436.103.08349110°.5 E
2023 Feb 13, 00:53421640.0008    35753358181436.050.93337110°.5 E
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-040B
45808
in space
Launched Beidou-3 G-3. Orbit lowered after releasing satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 23, 07:14236580.7224    19034370603.5728.41179
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2021 May 9
Life 320 days
Launched cluster of Starlink satellites. Not catalogued - retro-fire caused destructive re-entry above the Indian Ocean about two hours, 1.5 circuits, after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-I11
Dextre Arm + Kaber Micro Satellite Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Jun 23, 21:10
RedEye 3 (Cabernet)
1998-067RN
45809
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 16
Life 876 days
Small satellite from DARPA, possibly for testing inter-satellite communication links.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jun 24, 20:2067960.0002    41641992.9351.6560


2020-041
Falcon 9 Block 5
Vandenberg Air Force Base
2020 Jun 30, 20:10
USA 304 (GPS IIIA SV03)
2020-041A
45854
in space
Block 3 GPS Navsat.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 1, 21:27166770.5944    38620211357.2254.99270
2020 Jul 19, 02:50265600.0006    2016520199717.9655.0689
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jul 1
Life 1 day
Launched USA 304. An engine firing at first apogee of its HEO caused destructive re-entry above the Indian Ocean, near perigee and about 6.5 hrs, 1.25 circuits, after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-042
CZ 4B
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Jul 3, 03:10
Gaofen Multi-mode 1
2020-042A
45856
in space
Carries an extremely high resolution, multi-spectral Earth imaging satellite to support a remote sensing programme based on LEO and GEO satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jul 3, 06:1870180.0013    63164997.5198.0126710:26
2023 Feb 13, 01:5770180.0015    62965097.5197.927210:32
2023 Jun 20, 04:3770180.0014    63064997.5197.912810:29
BY70-2 (Xibaipo)
2020-042B
45857
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 19
Life 1508 days
2U Cubesat from the China Association for Science and Technology, in conjunction with Xibaipo High School, carrying an educational payload consisting of an imaging system and an amateur radio system.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 3, 12:2370200.0010    63564897.5598.01254
2023 Feb 13, 11:0669930.0009    60862196.9997.9357
CZ 4B third stage
2020-042C
45858
Re-entered - 2024 Oct 19
Life 1569 days
Launched Gaofen Multi-mode 1 and Xibaipo. Orbit perigee lowered after releasing satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 3, 14:2268940.0183    39064294.9597.987


2020-F05 - failed to reach orbit
Electron (The Owl's Night Begins)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Jul 3, 21:19
CE-Sat 1B (Canon Electric Satellite 1B)
Experimental Earth imaging microsatellite developed and built by Canon Electronics. Cameras are engineered versions of commercial camera models built by Canon. Lost when a faulty electrical connector caused the Electron launch vehicle second stage to shut down early.
Faraday 1
6U Cubesat from In-Space Missions of the UK, providing hosted payload space for six unidentified customers. Lost when a faulty electrical connector caused the Electron launch vehicle second stage to shut down early.
Flock 4e (five satellites)
3U Cubesat, Planet's Flock 4e cluster of five second generation imaging satellites. Lost when a faulty electrical connector caused the Electron launch vehicle second stage to shut down early.


2020-043
CZ 2D
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Jul 4, 23:44
Shiyan 6-02 (Test 6-02, Chuangxin 3B?)
2020-043A
45859
in space
Described as being for space environment studies and related technology experiments.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jul 5, 04:4570740.0014    68670698.6998.2026106:00
2020 Oct 14, 11:0770410.0008    65766898.0098.2132306:01
CZ 2D second stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Jul 5
Life 1 day
Launched Shiyan 6-2. Caused to re-enter after releasing satellite.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-044
Shavit 2
Palmachim AFB, Israel
2020 Jul 6, 01:00
Ofeq 16
2020-044A
45860
in space
Israeli electro-optical reconnaissance satellite to monitor the Middle East from highly retrograde orbit, possible replacement for Ofeq 11 (41759/2016-056A). Orbit data based on amateur observations.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 9, 02:1768460.0200    33160493.95140.9288
2020 Jul 15, 02:2768560.0183    35260394.16141.12134
Shavit fourth stage
2020-044B
45861
Re-entered - 2021 Jan 27
Life 205 days
Launched Ofeq 16.
Orbit classified as 'Secret' - data withheld


2020-045
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Jul 9, 12:11
APStar 6D
2020-045A
45863
in space
Commercial comsat owned by APT Mobile SatCom to provide to provide high-bandwidth satellite broadband telecommunications services for airborne, shipborne and other mobile applications. To be stationed alongside Apstar 6C (43450/2018-041A). The satellite manoeuvred itself in to geosynchronous drift orbit around July 12 and arrived on station a small number of days later. Expected location 134° east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Jul 10, 00:30243720.7293    21935768631.0928.44180
2020 Jul 17, 16:48422130.0012    35785358851438.570.10347134°.3 E
2023 Feb 12, 17:26421660.0002    35779357961436.150.02296134°.0 E
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-045B
45864
in space
Launched Apstar 6D.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-F06 - failed to reach orbit
Kuaizhou 11
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Jul 10, 04:17
Jilin-1 High Resolution 02E (Jilin-1 GF02E)
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite aimed at sun-synchronous orbit with LTDN 10:30. Lost when Kuaizhou 11 launch vehicle upper stage failed. Launch apparently delayed by six minutes during final countdown.
Wei Li Kongjiang 01-02 (Centispace 01-02)
Demonstrator for an LEO navigation enhancement system being developed by Beijing Future Navigation Technology Co Ltd. Satellite developed by the Microsatellite Innovation Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Will also be used to test the Beidou system and to test an inter-satellite laser communication system. Lost when Kuaizhou 11 launch vehicle upper stage failed. Launch apparently delayed by six minutes during final countdown.


2020-I12
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Jul 13, 13:40
DeMi (Deformable Mirror)
1998-067RP
45916
Re-entered - 2022 Mar 8
Life 603 days
6U Cubesat - demonstration mission from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, relating to development of a flexible mirror that can be used to correct defects caused by such as aberration and speckle in astronomical images.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 16, 07:1467950.0002    41541892.9051.6465


2020-I13
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Jul 13, 16:55
TechEdSat 10 (Technical Education Satellite 10)
1998-067RQ
45917
Re-entered - 2021 Mar 15
Life 245 days
6U Cubesat (6 x 1) - to demonstrate use of a braking parachute to initiate re-entry and provide precise control of the re-entry point with a view to use of the system for future, recoverable, space missions.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 16, 08:4667940.0004    41341992.8851.6483
2020 Sep 4, 20:5367880.0004    40741292.7651.64301
2020 Nov 1, 14:3967750.0002    39639992.5051.6488
2020 Nov 26, 19:3667660.0005    38539192.3151.64166


2020-046
Minotaur IV
Mid Atlantic Regional Space Port, Wallops Island
2020 Jul 15, 13:46
USA 305
2020-046A
45873
in space
Small satellite, probably equipped with an Earth imaging system for photo-reconnaissance. Orbit measurements based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 3, 21:4569520.0010    56758196.1553.98342
2022 Jun 15, 02:0169290.0003    54955395.6853.97144
USA 306
2020-046B
45874
in space
Small satellite, probably equipped with an Earth imaging system for photo-reconnaissance. Orbit measurements based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 3, 21:4669530.0008    56958096.1553.98335
2022 Jun 16, 01:0269300.0021    53756695.6853.98187
USA 307
2020-046C
45875
in space
Small satellite, probably equipped with an Earth imaging system for photo-reconnaissance. Orbit measurements based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 3, 21:5369540.0010    56958396.1853.98334
2022 Jun 15, 01:2369320.0001    55355495.7253.9711
USA 308
2020-046D
45876
in space
Small satellite, probably equipped with an Earth imaging system for photo-reconnaissance. Orbit measurements based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 3, 21:5469540.0009    57058296.1853.98328
2022 Jun 15, 00:1769320.0007    54955895.7253.980
Minotaur upper stage
2020-046E
45877
in space
Launched four small satellites (USA 305, 306, 307 & 308) for US National Reconnaissance Office. Initial orbit measurement based on amateur observation. Orbit data became de-classified as of 2021 Dec 3 following the appearance, around Nov 27, of several debris items following a similar orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 3, 21:4869530.0008    56958096.1653.98335
2021 Dec 3, 11:5369520.0009    56758096.1453.98180


2020-047
H-IIA 202 (F-42)
Tanegashima Space Centre
2020 Jul 19, 21:58
El Amal (Hope)
2020-047A
45918
in space
Mars orbiter mission launched by Japan for the United Arab Emirates. Aimed to study Mars weather and climate. Separated from launch vehicle at 22:55 UTC. Launch delayed from July 15 by weather. 2021 Feb 9 at 15:30 UTC the main engine was fired for 27 minutes. It resulted in the vehicle entering a 1000 x 49000 km orbit of Mars.
Entered orbit around Mars
H-IIA upper stage
2020-047B
45919
in space
Launched El Amal.
Heliocentric orbit


2020-048
Falcon 9 Block 5
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Jul 20, 21:30
ANASIS-II (Army, Navy Air Force Satellite Information System 2)
2020-048A
45920
in space
South Korean military communications satellite. Expected (but unconfirmed) location - 115°.9 east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Jul 21, 05:08291770.7745    20045397826.6427.46178
2020 Jul 21, 18:30303820.7042    260945398878.3721.25178
2020 Jul 23, 20:59402000.2115    25320423231336.893.06175
2020 Jul 24, 11:31407250.2201    25382433121363.183.08176
2020 Jul 26, 13:22464450.0936    35721444121660.220.92180
2020 Jul 27, 22:45422540.0010    35834359181440.670.01168
2020 Jul 29, 22:19422070.0007    35799358591438.260.028116°.3 E
2020 Aug 1, 01:15421650.0001    35781357921436.100.0139116°.2 E
2023 Feb 12, 18:43421640.0001    35782357901436.070.0063116°.2 E
Falcon 9 upper stage
2020-048B
45921
in space
Launched ANASIS-II.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 21, 14:50292420.7757    18045548829.4127.58179


2020-049
CZ 5 (Y4)
Wenchang Space Centre
2020 Jul 23, 04:41
Tianwen 1 (Questions to Heaven 1)
2020-049A
45935
in space
Spacecraft from China aimed at Mars, consisting of an orbiter with an attached lander, in turn carrying a surface rover. Mission is to search for evidence of both current and past life, and to study the Martian environment. After arrival, the vehicle's cameras were used from orbit to reconnoitre for a landing site. Engine firing 2021 Feb 10 at 11:52 UTC for 14 minutes put Tianwen into orbit around Mars with perigee 400 km and apogee 180,000 km. Feb 24 the orbit was lowered to 280 x 59,000 km. 2021 May 14, released atmosphere entry vehicle carrying Zhurong surface rover.
Entered orbit around Mars
Camera platform#1
uncatalogued
in space
Separated from Tianwen 1 on 2020 Sep 1 and used to photograph the main spacecraft.
Heliocentric orbit
Camera platform#2
uncatalogued
in space
Small camera-carrier released from Tianwen 1 2021 Dec to return images of it in Mars orbit.
Entered orbit around Mars
Tianwen 1 Lander
uncatalogued
in space
Separated from Tianwen 1 2021 May 14 at about 20:00 UTC, carrying Zhurong surface rover. Retrofire led to entry into Martian atmosphere at about 23:08 UTC. Landed at 25°.1 north, 119°.9 east, on the southern edge of Utopia Planitia at 23:18 UTC.
Landed on Mars
Zhurong
uncatalogued
in space
Mars surface rover named after the Chinese God of Fire. Carried to surface by Tianwen 1 Lander 2021 May 14. Zhurong rolled onto Martian surface 2021 May 22, 02:40 UTC.
Landed on Mars
CZ 5B second stage
2020-049B
45936
in space
Launched Tianwen 1.
Heliocentric orbit


2020-050
Soyuz-2.1a
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Jul 23, 14:26
Progress MS-15 (Progress 7K-MS №444)
2020-050A
45937
Re-entered - 2021 Feb 9
Life 201 days
Supplies to ISS. Docked with Pirs module at 17:44:52 UTC, just over three hours after launch. Undocked 2021 Feb 9 at 05:21 UTC. Retro-fire at 08:30 UTC led to destructive re-entry above the southern Pacific Ocean at 09:04 UTC with any unburnt fragments hitting the Ocean Surface at about 09:13 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 23, 14:5665790.0029    18222088.5251.6560
2020 Jul 23, 16:2665910.0022    19922888.7651.68103
2020 Jul 23, 17:1767960.0001    41741992.9351.64142
2021 Feb 7, 13:1167980.0003    41842292.9751.65345
Soyuz upper stage
2020-050B
45938
Re-entered - 2020 Jul 27
Life 4 days
Launched Progress MS-15.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 23, 19:0065820.0026    18722188.5851.6475


2020-051
CZ 4B
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Jul 25, 03:13
Ziyuan-3 03
2020-051A
45939
in space
Chinese government satellite for Earth observation and cartography, including 3D-Imaging.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Jul 25, 06:1368700.0011    48450094.4597.5027710:30
2020 Jul 29, 12:4068710.0009    48749994.4797.5024310:30
2020 Aug 18, 05:0168800.0012    49451094.6597.4922710:31
2023 Feb 13, 12:1468790.0008    49650794.6497.4130210:46
Long Xia Yan (Lobster Eye)
2020-051B
45940
Re-entered - 2023 Jul 15
Life 1085 days
Small satellite equipped with x-ray detectors to study emissions from dark matter. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed,

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 25, 07:4768690.0014    48150094.4397.49295
2023 Feb 13, 12:4167990.0008    41642692.9997.42214
Tianqi 10
2020-051C
45941
Re-entered - 2024 Jun 7
Life 1413 days
6U Cubesat? - comsat providing messaging communication links from LEO including between Internet-connected items. Part of the planned 38 satellite Guodian Gaoke (Apocalypse) constellation. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed,

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 25, 07:4768690.0013    48250094.4397.49294
2023 Feb 13, 12:4168410.0010    45646993.8497.42219
CZ 4B third stage
2020-051D
45942
Re-entered - 2021 Sep 9
Life 411 days
Launched Ziyuan 3-03 and two smaller satellites. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites in order to speed up orbit decay.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Jul 25, 07:3967670.0154    28549392.3397.6025


2020-052
Atlas V 541
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Jul 30, 11:50
Perseverance
in space
Mars Rover that will seek signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth by a future vehicle. Also carries Ingenuity, a Mars helicopter, as a technology demonstrator for future missions. Landed Mars 2021 Feb 18 at 20:55 UTC.
Landed on Mars
Mars 2020
2020-052A
45983
in space
Carried NASA Mars rover Perseverance. Entered Mars atmosphere 2021 Feb 18 and deposited Perseverance on the surface. Various other components of the vehicle impacted Mars in locations around the rover touch down site.
Hard landed on Mars
Atlas upper stage (Centaur)
2020-052B
45984
in space
Launched Mars 2020.
Heliocentric orbit


2020-053
Proton-M + Briz-M
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Jul 30, 21:25
Express 103
2020-053A
45985
in space
Domestic comsat owned by RSCC (the Russian Satellite Communications Company) to provide high frequency fixed and mobile communications, digital television and radio broadcasting, high-speed Internet access and data transmission services across Russia and Southeast Asia. Also carries a low frequency transponder for global coverage. Separated from Briz-M Jul 31, 15:41UTC. Entry into service expected 2021 January at location - 103° east. 2021 Mar 4 - commenced move westward and, Mar 8, arrived at 96°.5 east next to Express AM-33. Declared operational at that location Mar 26 having taken over Express AM-33 service provision.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Aug 2, 05:45420700.4543    16579548051431.270.64187101°.4 E
2020 Aug 7, 23:08421140.4523    16686547861433.510.61188108°.2 E
2020 Aug 10, 15:50421860.4470    16952546641437.180.60189108°.4 E
2020 Aug 12, 21:59420890.4465    16917545041432.210.57189108°.7 E
2020 Aug 15, 22:30421820.4345    17477541311436.980.58189108°.6 E
2020 Sep 16, 19:28421670.3425    21348502291436.210.44193110°.7 E
2020 Oct 3, 18:32422220.2957    23357483301439.020.38195102°.8 E
2020 Oct 15, 22:57422100.2571    24978466851438.390.3419799°.8 E
2020 Nov 1, 16:06421620.2119    26850447171435.930.29201101°.5 E
2020 Nov 16, 00:57421850.1579    29146424671437.120.26203102°.0 E
2020 Dec 1, 23:22422060.1120    31100405561438.210.22208105°.6 E
2020 Dec 13, 00:40421840.0738    32691389211437.100.20212103°.8 E
2021 Jan 2, 16:46421750.0156    35140364551436.640.16226103°.1 E
2021 Jan 9, 10:19421630.0001    35781357881436.000.13277103°.0 E
2021 Feb 26, 16:37421650.0000    35786357881436.110.0596103°.0 E
2021 Mar 4, 01:33422300.0002    35844358611439.450.0527999°.0 E
2021 Mar 14, 14:57421660.0002    35778357971436.140.0312596°.4 E
2023 Feb 13, 09:57421660.0001    35786357901436.170.0521896°.5 E
Express 80
2020-053B
45986
in space
Domestic comsat owned by RSCC (the Russian Satellite Communications Company) to provide high frequency fixed and mobile communications, digital television and radio broadcasting, high-speed Internet access and data transmission services across Russia and Southeast Asia Also carries low frequency transponders for global coverage. Separated from Briz-M Jul 31, 15:24 UTC. Entry into service expected 2020 January at location - 80° east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Aug 1, 15:41420800.4541    16593548121431.790.62187100°.6 E
2020 Aug 6, 23:19421340.4518    16720547911434.510.60188106°.5 E
2020 Aug 10, 14:26421940.4465    16978546541437.600.58188106°.1 E
2020 Aug 18, 04:12422180.4260    17854538261438.830.55189105°.6 E
2020 Aug 22, 22:07421560.4084    18562529941435.650.53190104°.2 E
2020 Sep 16, 10:51422710.3353    21718500681441.540.41197
2020 Oct 3, 19:29421640.2845    23791477821436.070.3719676°.9 E
2020 Oct 14, 19:17421480.2497    25244462961435.240.3319876°.3 E
2020 Nov 1, 21:46421070.1875    27836436221433.140.2720178°.6 E
2020 Nov 18, 02:53421250.1334    30129413641434.050.2420479°.9 E
2020 Dec 2, 14:40421330.0843    32201393081434.450.2120980°.1 E
2020 Dec 13, 14:50421660.0446    33906376701436.170.1821579°.4 E
2020 Dec 31, 16:55421550.0007    35749358051435.620.125780°.1 E
2021 Jan 7, 13:48421650.0002    35778357961436.120.08280°.0 E
2023 Feb 12, 09:11421650.0001    35781357921436.090.0621680°.0 E
Briz-M rocket stage
2020-053C
45987
in space
Launched Express 80 and Express 103. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 1, 15:42412490.4668    15615541271389.560.95182
Briz-M propellant tank
2020-053D
45988
in space
Discarded auxilliary propellant tank from Briz-M that launched Express 80 and Express 103.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 2, 06:05182240.6272    41623276408.0649.52181


2020-054
CZ 2D
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Aug 6, 04:01
Gaofen 9-04
2020-054A
46025
in space
Carries a high-resolution optical system to support a remote sensing programme based on LEO and GEO satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Aug 6, 10:2568740.0014    48650694.5397.4825910:21
2020 Aug 9, 04:2368750.0014    48750794.5597.4723810:22
2020 Aug 28, 21:1968740.0015    48550594.5297.4717310:22
2023 Feb 13, 12:2468730.0004    49349894.5297.3820410:36
Gravity & Atmosphere Scientific Satellite (Q-SAT)
2020-054B
46026
Re-entered - 2024 Jun 11
Life 1405 days
Small satellite from Tsinghua University used for studying upper atmosphere density and making measurements of the Earth's gravitational field.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 6, 11:5768720.0016    48350594.4997.47268
2023 Feb 13, 12:1668440.0013    45747493.9197.38257
CZ 2D second stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 6
Life <1 day
Launched Gaofen 9-04 and Q-SAT. Caused to re-enter soon after releasing satellites.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-055
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 09)
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Aug 7, 05:12
Starlink 1522
2020-055A
46027
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of fifty seven LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle at ~06:45 UTC.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits near ~400 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 13, 22:0068130.0003    43243793.2753.00323
BlackSky 7 (Global 7)
2020-055BP
46088
Re-entered - 2023 Oct 23
Life 1172 days
Commercial multi-spectral Earth imaging satellite from BlackSky Global inc. Separated from launch vehicle at 06:13 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 13, 10:2767720.0012    38640192.4353.01313
2020 Sep 9, 03:0967770.0007    39440492.5453.0168
BlackSky 8 (Global 8)
2020-055BQ
46089
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 1
Life 1333 days
Commercial multi-spectral Earth imaging satellite from BlackSky Global inc. Separated from launch vehicle at 06:18 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 13, 13:3267720.0012    38640292.4453.01310
2020 Sep 9, 01:5967800.0006    39840692.6053.0153
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 7
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Black Sky Global and Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above south-eastern Indian Ocean around 150 minutes (1.5 circuits) after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-056
Ariane 5ECA (VA-253)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Aug 15, 22:04
BSAT-4b
2020-056A
46112
in space
Japanese broadcast comsat providing high definition television services. Will act as backup to, and to supplement, BSat-4A (42951/2017-059B). Separated from launch vehicle at 22:51 UTC. Expected location - 110°east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Aug 16, 18:09244000.7279    26135783632.195.98178
2020 Aug 18, 14:29329580.2786    1739735763992.431.12177
2020 Aug 22, 13:04421320.0006    35729357781434.410.0733104°.1 E
2020 Aug 25, 14:05421460.0005    35746357891435.130.0641105°.2 E
2020 Aug 26, 19:32421640.0001    35781357911436.060.06207105°.1 E
2020 Sep 9, 22:06421120.0004    35718357501433.400.04189106°.8 E
2020 Sep 13, 14:37421130.0003    35720357491433.440.03183109°.3 E
2020 Sep 16, 23:16421640.0003    35772357991436.050.02219109°.8 E
2023 Feb 10, 09:53421640.0001    35783357901436.080.03317109°.8 E
MEV-2 (Mission Extension Vehicle 2)
2020-056B
46113
in space
Northrop Grumman vehicle - launched to rendezvous and attach itself to the Intelsat 10-02 GEO comsat (28358/2004-022A) at 1° west and take over its pointing and station-keeping functions in order to extend its on-orbit life by five years. It may then move to another satellite. Separated from launch vehicle at 22:38 UTC. Arrived in the vicinity of Intelsat 10-02 - 2021 Feb 4. After approaching its target on at least three occasions for pre-docking inspection and possible docking attempts, MEV-2 captured Intelsat 10-02 on 2021 Apr 12 at 17:34 UTC. Initial contract was to remain docked for five years but 2024 announcement extended this to 2030.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Aug 16, 20:43243710.7273    26735719631.075.95179
2020 Aug 18, 20:05261070.6140    369935759699.684.14179
2020 Aug 19, 18:19264370.5939    435835759712.963.94180
2020 Sep 1, 19:45271870.5761    514636473743.553.71184
2020 Sep 17, 11:20288750.5401    690338090813.833.32187
2020 Oct 1, 02:51304390.5110    850739614880.852.89190
2020 Oct 16, 15:06325250.4722    1078741506972.932.59191
2020 Nov 1, 22:10348360.4217    13767431491078.462.02194
2020 Nov 18, 08:14367960.3541    17389434471170.751.58197
2020 Dec 2, 13:45381490.2816    21026425151235.901.19199
2020 Dec 16, 05:56390660.2262    23851415251280.720.99204
2021 Jan 3, 19:59405180.1283    28940393391352.770.55204
2021 Jan 15, 16:48412480.0736    31834379071389.530.31202
2021 Jan 29, 09:08421430.0085    35407361231434.980.01971°.2 E
2021 Feb 5, 15:17421640.0000    35784357881436.080.05401°.0 W
2021 Mar 31, 07:42421650.0002    35778357951436.110.043171°.0 W
2023 Feb 11, 09:27421650.0001    35783357911436.110.04731°.0 W
Galaxy 30 (Galaxy 14R)
2020-056C
46114
in space
Comsat to provide high-performance broadcast distribution to North America, including Ultra-High Definition (UHD) and over-the-top (OTT) streaming media, while also supporting broadband, mobility and enterprise network solutions. Will replace Galaxy 14 (28790/2005-030A). Separated from launch vehicle at 22:31 UTC. Expected location - 125° west.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Aug 16, 18:12243810.7277    26235743631.435.97178
2020 Aug 18, 13:51265290.5876    456135741716.713.62179
2020 Aug 19, 21:28322380.3063    1598635734960.091.25179
2020 Aug 22, 04:31390950.0775    29689357451282.160.19173
2020 Aug 26, 16:53422260.0003    35835358611439.230.0524685°.3 E
2020 Aug 31, 02:24421650.0001    35785357901436.130.0419984°.5 E
2020 Oct 17, 22:24421650.0001    35780357931436.100.002584°.6 E
2020 Nov 30, 12:47421650.0002    35778357961436.110.0232184°.6 E
2020 Dec 2, 18:12420850.0006    35679357331432.000.0125086°.0 E
2020 Dec 3, 21:46420060.0013    35574356821428.000.01227
2020 Dec 10, 10:46419030.0001    35523355281422.760.01240
2021 Jan 15, 13:45419560.0001    35573355821425.450.0491
2021 Jan 19, 02:11420800.0008    35667357361431.750.04185125°.1 W
2021 Jan 20, 23:06421650.0001    35782357921436.130.021125°.0 W
2023 Feb 12, 12:24421650.0002    35778357941436.080.02236125°.0 W
Ariane 5 upper stage
2020-056E
46116
in space
Launched Galaxy 30, MEV-2 and BSAT-4b.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 17, 01:07243380.7274    25635664629.785.73176


2020-057
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 10)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Aug 18, 14:31
Starlink 1585
2020-057A
46117
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of fifty eight LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle about 46 minutes after lift-off.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 25, 20:0066950.0055    28035490.8653.0072
Skysat 19 (Skysat C17)
2020-057BQ
46179
Re-entered - 2024 Feb 26
Life 1287 days
Commercial Earth-imaging satellite from Planet Labs providing high resolution images and video. Released from launch vehicle about 12 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 25, 01:2966830.0081    25135990.6253.0072
2020 Aug 27, 12:2867000.0055    28535890.9653.0078
2020 Sep 4, 10:2367270.0015    33935991.5253.0070
Skysat 20 (Skysat C18)
2020-057BR
46180
Re-entered - 2023 Jun 26
Life 1042 days
Commercial Earth-imaging satellite from Planet Labs providing high resolution images and video. Released from launch vehicle about 12 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 25, 01:2666870.0072    26135790.7053.0070
Skysat 21 (Skysat C19)
2020-057BS
46235
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 30
Life 1260 days
Commercial Earth-imaging satellite from Planet Labs providing high resolution images and video. Released from launch vehicle about 12 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 25, 01:1566610.0108    21135590.1853.0073
2020 Aug 27, 17:5866730.0087    23635390.4153.0081
2020 Aug 29, 18:1066840.0069    25935190.6353.0086
2020 Sep 2, 11:1766930.0052    28035090.8253.0095
2020 Sep 2, 18:5167030.0038    30035091.0353.0090
2020 Sep 6, 18:3767210.0017    33135391.3853.0063
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 18
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Skysat and Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above western Pacific Ocean around 90 mins after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-058
CZ 2D
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Aug 23, 02:27
Gaofen 9-05
2020-058A
46232
in space
Carries a high-resolution optical system to support a remote sensing programme based on LEO and GEO satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Aug 23, 11:5468740.0015    48550694.5397.5025908:47
2020 Aug 26, 02:4868720.0016    48350594.4997.5025508:47
2023 Feb 13, 10:0768730.0011    48850294.5197.3733609:07
Multi-Functional Test Satellite
2020-058B
46233
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 1
Life 1592 days
Small satellite from the China Academy of Military Science, carrying developmental equipment for communication, navigation and remote sensing.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Aug 23, 11:5468720.0014    48450494.5097.5026908:47
2023 Feb 13, 12:1368480.0013    46147893.9997.3732709:21
Tiantuo 5
2020-058C
46234
Re-entered - 2025 Apr 19
Life 1700 days
Small satellite from China's National University of Defense Technology including experimental/test equipment, a real-time video based Earth imaging system, and an AIS receiver for relaying ship location information from the worlds' oceans.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Aug 23, 13:4068720.0015    48350494.4897.5027108:47
2023 Feb 13, 12:0668620.0014    47449394.2897.3732709:15
CZ 2D second stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 23
Life <1 day
Launched Gaofen 9-05, a military test satellite and Tiantuo 5. Caused to re-enter soon after releasing satellites.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-059
Falcon 9 Block 5
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Aug 30, 23:18
SAOCOM 1B (Satélite Argentino de Observación Con Microondas)
2020-059A
46265
in space
Argentinian radar-imaging earth observation satellite. 2019 Nov - SpaceX changed launch site from Vandenberg to Cape Canaveral. Released from launch vehicle 14 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Aug 31, 11:4069870.0004    60661296.8797.8816017:52
2023 Feb 13, 10:5370010.0001    62262397.1697.898517:54
GNOMES 1 (GNSS Navigation and Occultation Measurement Satellite)
2020-059B
46266
in space
Small satellite from PlanetiQ, equipped with radio receivers to observe occultations of MEO navsat signals in order to study the Earth's upper atmosphere and contribute to weather forecasting. First in a planned multi-satellite constellation. Released from launch vehicle 61 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 31, 11:4069830.0007    60060996.7897.89134
2023 Feb 13, 12:0269770.0006    59460396.6797.8778
Echostar Global 1
2020-059C
46267
in space
6U Cubesat - part of a planned constellation of 30+ satellite to provide communications for internet-connected items. Released from launch vehicle 62 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Aug 31, 13:1669820.0007    59960996.7697.8814017:52
2023 Feb 13, 12:0369680.0007    58559496.4797.867418:24
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Aug 31
Life 1 day
Launched SAOCOM 1B and two small satellites. Caused to re-enter above the southern Pacific Ocean about 2 hrs after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-060
Electron (Pics Or It Didn't Happen)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Aug 31, 03:05
First Light (Photon 1)
2020-060A
46268
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 22
Life 1605 days
Satellite based on Electron launch vehicle third stage (kick stage). Mission is a demonstrator of the power management, thermal control and attitude control subsystems used to allow the stage to perform as an active satellite. Also carries an Earth-imaging camera system.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 31, 11:3669150.0013    52854695.3945.10270
Capella 2 (Sequoia)
2020-060B
46269
Re-entered - 2023 Feb 28
Life 911 days
Development/test satellite from Capella Space carrying synthetic aperture radar for Earth imaging.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 31, 11:3669170.0011    53154695.4145.10267
Electron second stage
2020-060C
46270
Re-entered - 2020 Sep 19
Life 19 days
Launched Sequoia and First Light.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Aug 31, 07:1567400.0272    17954591.7945.10257


2020-061
Vega (VV-16)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Sep 2, 01:51
ÑuSat 06 (Hypatia)
2020-061A
46272
Re-entered - 2024 Sep 14
Life 1473 days
Small satellite from Satellogic of Argentina to provide earth images in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum using real-time imaging and video. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 4, 06:2468990.0005    51752595.0597.4721310:30
2023 Feb 13, 05:3168550.0005    47448094.1497.3029910:09
ESAIL
2020-061B
46273
Re-entered - 2025 Mar 3
Life 1643 days
Small satellite under ESA’s SAT-AIS program equipped with an AIS (Automatic Information System) receiver to pick up positional information from ships at sea. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 3, 22:2968990.0005    51752495.0497.47215
2023 Feb 13, 03:1068800.0006    49850694.6597.3720
ION SCV-001 (Lucas)
2020-061C
46274
in space
Carrying part of Flock 4V for Planet. Flock 4V is split into two batches, fourteen released directly from Vega and the remaining twelve were released individually from the ION SCV LUCAS dispenser over a period of eight weeks. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 19:0568980.0005    51752495.0497.47215
2023 Feb 13, 04:0568860.0006    50351294.7797.3723
Athena
2020-061D
46275
in space
Experimental satellite testing an communications sytem, probably owned by a subsidiary of Facebook. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 19:0468960.0001    51851894.9997.46118
UPMSat-2 (Universidad Politécnica Madrid)
2020-061E
46276
in space
Educational, scientific and in-orbit technological demonstration microsatellite project led by the research institute
of Universidad Politécnica Madrid (IRD/UPM) to give students experience in designing and building a satellite. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 13:1368960.0001    51751894.9897.4773
NEMO-HD (Next-generation Earth Monitoring and Observation - High Definition)
2020-061F
46277
in space
Small satellite from Slovenia for Earth observation using video streaming and multispectral imaging. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 3, 22:2868960.0001    51751894.9897.478610:30
2023 Feb 13, 11:5968860.0003    50651094.7997.367110:03
GHGSat C1 (Iris)
2020-061G
46278
in space
Small satellite - first in a planned constellation being built for GHGSat Inc of Montreal. It will monitor greenhouse gases emitted from sources on the ground. Released from launch vehicle at 02:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 03:1368950.0002    51551994.9797.4728
2023 Feb 13, 11:0768790.0003    49850394.6397.36101
SIMBA (Sun-earth IMBAlance)
2020-061H
46279
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 14
Life 1442 days
3U Cubesat from ESA, provided by the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium to help measure the Earth's energy budget from the Sun. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 13:2969150.0003    53553995.3897.52341
2023 Feb 13, 11:0268900.0004    50951594.8797.42138
TRISAT
2020-061J
46280
Re-entered - 2024 Sep 29
Life 1488 days
3U Cubesat from the University of Malibor, Slovenia, carrying an Earth imaging system and acting as a demonstrator for Slovenia's space capabilities. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC. Identification from radio transmissions received by amateur observer Nico Janssen.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 13:2869150.0003    53553995.3897.52341
2023 Feb 13, 10:5368910.0004    51151694.8997.41134
PICASSO-BE (Pico-Satellite for Atmospheric and Space Science Observations)
2020-061K
46281
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 13
Life 1319 days
3U Cubesat - ESA satellite from aconsortium led by the Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy, to study the Earth's atmosphere. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 7, 01:1869150.0003    53453995.3897.52356
DIDO-3
2020-061N
46284
Re-entered - 2025 Mar 25
Life 1665 days
3U Cubesat - joint Italy/Israeli mission using a SpacePharma module to provide a small laboratory in space. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 13:2769150.0003    53553895.3797.52339
2023 Feb 13, 00:0768970.0004    51652195.0097.42134
Flock 4V-1
2020-061P
46313
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 17
Life 1323 days
3U Cubesat, part of Planet's Flock 4V cluster of second generation imaging satellites. Flock 4V is split into two batches, fourteen released directly from Vega VV-16 with the remaining twelve to be released individually from the ION SCV LUCAS dispenser. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

One of fourteen satellites of Flock 4V released directly from the Vega launch vehicle, all are in similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 08:0469150.0001    53653895.3997.52305
2023 Feb 13, 03:4868830.0003    50350794.7297.4265
AMICal SAT
2020-061R
46287
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 14
Life 1595 days
2U Cubesat from Centre Spatial Universaire Grenoble to observe the Earth's aurorae. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC. Identification from radio transmissions received by amateur observer Nico Janssen.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 11:5169150.0002    53553895.3797.5213
2023 Feb 13, 04:1668950.0003    51551994.9797.42142
³Cat 5/A (Federated Satellite Systems 5A)
2020-061W
46292
in space
6U Cubesat from Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña carrying Earth imaging sensors to complement ESA's Sentinel satellites. Satellite uses arttificial intelligence to select suitable quality images to be transmitted. One of a pair of simultaneously-launched satellites under ESA's Φ-Sat mission. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 11:4969140.0002    53453795.3597.52300
2023 Feb 13, 03:2769030.0004    52252895.1497.42112
³Cat 5/B (Federated Satellite Systems 5B)
2020-061X
46293
in space
6U Cubesat from Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña carrying Earth imaging sensors to complement ESA's Sentinel satellites. Satellite uses arttificial intelligence to select suitable quality images to be transmitted. One of a pair of simultaneously-launched satellites under ESA's Φ-Sat mission. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 10:1369140.0002    53453795.3597.52294
OSM 1 (Cicero)
2020-061Y
46294
in space
6U Cubesat from Monaco collecting atmospheric data by detecting changes in radio signals as they pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. Its mission is to improve weather forecasting models. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 10:1369140.0002    53453795.3597.52298
2023 Feb 13, 03:2168970.0004    51652195.0097.42108
Echostar Global 2
2020-061Z
46295
Re-entered - 2024 Feb 10
Life 1256 days
6U Cubesat - part of a planned constellation of 30+ satellite to provide communications for internet-connected items. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 11:4969140.0002    53453795.3597.52294
2023 Feb 13, 10:1368770.0004    49650194.5997.42108
Lemur-2 (EthanOakes)
2020-061AC
46298
Re-entered - 2024 Mar 28
Life 1303 days
3U Cubesat - equipped with a receiver for AIS (Automatic Information System) for tracking ships at sea, and a receiver that uses occultation measurements of GPS satellite signals to measure temperature, pressure and humidity profiles in the Earth's atmosphere for weather forecasting. Developed by Spire (formerly Nanosatisfi). Lemur-2 satellites are named after development and support team members. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

One of eight Lemur-2 satellites carried on this launch, all aimed at similar orbits. Only six satellites were catalogued, two remained attached to the launch vehicle upper stage when their release mechanisms failed..

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 11:4769130.0001    53453595.3397.52111
TTU-100
2020-061AS
46312
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 11
Life 1439 days
1U Cubesat from Tallin University of Technology Earth observation and demonstration of Earth observation technologies. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 3, 15:0169130.0001    53453595.3397.52189
2023 Feb 13, 11:2968860.0003    50551094.7897.4269
Kepler 03 (Tars)
2020-061AZ
46319
Re-entered - 2024 Dec 10
Life 1560 days
6U Cubesat from Kepler Aerospace - third prototype for future constellation of 140 satellites to provide satellite to ground links for other satellites. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 13:1969110.0002    53253595.3097.52179
2023 Feb 13, 03:4868920.0003    51151694.9097.4260
Napa-1
2020-061BA
46320
in space
6U Cubesat belonging to the Royal Thai AIr Force, carries an Earth imaging payload. Released from launch vehicle as part of a three minute sequence commencing at 02:42 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 11, 13:1869110.0003    53153595.3097.52175
2023 Feb 13, 11:3369000.0004    51952495.0797.4254
Flock 4V-15
2020-061BE
46528
Re-entered - 2024 Mar 30
Life 1305 days
3U Cubesat, part of Planet's Flock 4V cluster of second generation imaging satellites. Flock 4V was split into two batches for launch. Fourteen were released directly from Vega VV-16. Flock 4V-15 is one of the the remaining twelve, released individually over an eight week period from launch, from the ION SCV LUCAS dispenser that was also orbited by VV-16.

One of twelve satellites of Flock 4V released from ION SCV LUCAS (46274/2020-061C). All are in similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 30, 19:2868960.0004    51552094.9897.46142
2023 Feb 13, 11:0068550.0003    47547994.1497.3738
Vega upper stage
uncatalogued
in space
Launched cluster of 58 satellites and Cubesats. Retro-fire at approx 03:55 UTC led to destructive re-entry. Two Lemur-2 satellites that failed to separate as intended were destroyed as a result.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-062
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 11)
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Sep 3, 12:46
Starlink-1734
2020-062A
46325
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 6, 22:5466100.0057    19426989.1453.0059
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Sep 3
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of sixty Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter soon after releasing the satellites.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-063
CZ 2F/G
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Sep 4, 07:30
Reusable Spacecraft Test Vehicle Type 1 Flight 1
2020-063A
46389
Re-entered - 2020 Sep 6
Life 2 days Returned to Earth
Small re-usable spaceplane, possibly associated with China's space station programme and maybe intended for long duration missions. Vehicle used to test launch and landing technology and spacecraft materials. Launch vehicle only previously used for launches of Shenzhou piloted spacecraft and Tiangong space lab. Launch time was 2 hr later than indicated by associated NOTAM, implying it was delayed during final countdown. Landed Sep 6 at approx 02:00 UTC, probably at a landing strip on the NE edge of the Taklamakan Desert.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 12:0567180.0012    33234891.3350.20284
2020 Sep 4, 16:3967170.0011    33134791.3150.20285
Banxing 3?
2020-063G
46395
Re-entered - 2021 Dec 26
Life 478 days
Probably used to inspect the main vehicle while on orbit and may also carry a science/technology payload. Remained in orbit after the spaceplane returned to Earth. Was not catalogued as separate object until the spaceplane departed from orbit Sep 6. Satellites with a similar task were deployed from Shenzhou 7 (33386/2008-047A) and Tiangong 2 (41765/2016-057A).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 6, 12:3367180.0012    33234891.3350.21300
CZ 2F third stage
2020-063B
46390
Re-entered - 2021 Jul 1
Life 300 days
Launched experimental spaceplane.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 4, 12:0567160.0015    32834891.2950.20295


2020-064
CZ 4B
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Sep 7, 05:57
Gaofen 11-02
2020-064A
46396
in space
Chinese remote sensing imaging satellite operating at optical wavelengths. Initially operating in elliptical orbit with low perigee. 2021 Mar 16 it commenced thruster firings to produce a circular orbit. Its predecessor, Gaofen 11 01 (43585/2018-063A), performed a similar mission.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 7, 11:5968490.0325    24869394.0297.3317113:06
2020 Sep 11, 21:1668450.0328    24269193.9297.3315513:06
2020 Sep 21, 22:2568410.0324    24168493.8497.3311913:07
2020 Nov 7, 13:5768240.0299    24265093.5097.3331113:09
2021 Feb 8, 05:5767810.0246    23657092.6397.3333313:20
2021 Mar 15, 16:0267650.0226    23453992.2997.3320113:26
2021 Mar 19, 08:4268750.0064    45354194.5597.4328313:26
2021 Mar 21, 04:5068730.0001    49449694.5197.3310213:26
2023 Mar 21, 19:1868740.0002    49549794.5397.4032513:17
CZ 4B third stage
2020-064B
46397
Re-entered - 2021 Jan 1
Life 116 days
Launched Gaofen 11 02. Orbit lowered after releasing satellite in order to hasten re-entry.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 7, 11:5067430.0198    23249991.8597.26150


2020-F07 - failed to reach orbit
Rocket 3.1 (Astra LV0004)
Kodiak Launch Centre, Alaska
2020 Sep 12, 03:19
Rocket 3.1 second stage
Test mission of rocket from US manufacturer, Astra - intended to reach polar orbit at 340 km, 86° inclination. No satellite carried. Lost when first stage failed about 20s after lift-off.


2020-F08 - failed to reach orbit
Kuaizhou 1A
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Sep 12, 05:02
Jilin-1 High Resolution 02C (Jilin-1 GF02C)
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite aimed at sun-synchronous orbit with LTDN 11:20. Lost when Kuaizhou 1A launch vehicle failed.


2020-065
CZ 11H
Self propelled barge 'De Bo 3', Yellow Sea - 34°.3 N, 123°.8 E
2020 Sep 15, 01:23
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03B 01 (Jilin-1 GF03B 01)
2020-065A
46454
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5669180.0010    53254795.4397.5427809:21
2022 May 1, 03:3269110.0016    52254495.3097.454809:03
2023 Feb 13, 12:1869020.0015    51453495.1197.4112508:49
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03B 02 (Jilin-1 GF03B 02)
2020-065B
46455
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite.Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5769170.0012    53054795.4197.5229609:20
2022 May 1, 03:1769110.0015    52254495.3097.456209:01
2023 Feb 13, 11:5469020.0014    51453495.1197.4113908:47
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03B 03 (Jilin-1 GF03B 03)
2020-065C
46456
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5769160.0012    53054795.4197.5329509:20
2022 May 1, 03:0069110.0014    52354395.3097.466309:04
2023 Feb 13, 11:3969020.0012    51553395.1197.4214008:51
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03B 04 (Jilin-1 GF03B 04)
2020-065D
46457
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5769160.0011    53154695.4197.5329609:20
2022 May 1, 03:1069110.0015    52354395.3097.456809:03
2023 Feb 13, 12:0269020.0013    51553395.1297.4114308:49
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03B 05 (Jilin-1 GF03B 05)
2020-065E
46458
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5669160.0013    52954795.4097.5229909:20
2022 May 1, 02:3769110.0015    52354395.3097.445909:01
2023 Feb 13, 11:3169020.0014    51553495.1197.4113408:46
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03B 06 (Jilin-1 GF03B 06)
2020-065F
46459
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5669160.0013    52854795.4097.5329909:20
2022 May 1, 02:4669110.0016    52254495.3097.466109:05
2023 Feb 13, 11:2569020.0015    51453495.1197.4213908:52
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03C 01 (Jilin-1 GF03C 01)
2020-065G
46460
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite using video. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5669160.0013    52954795.3997.5229609:20
2022 May 1, 02:3069110.0015    52354395.3097.456009:01
2023 Feb 13, 11:1969020.0014    51553495.1297.4113608:47
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03C 02 (Jilin-1 GF03C 02)
2020-065H
46461
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite using video. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5669160.0013    52954695.3997.5329509:20
2022 May 1, 03:4269110.0015    52354495.3097.465409:04
2023 Feb 13, 12:4069020.0014    51453495.1197.4212908:51
Jilin-1 High Resolution 03C 03 (Jilin-1 GF03C 03)
2020-065J
46462
in space
Chinese high resolution, multi-spectral imaging satellite using video. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 15, 05:5669150.0013    52854695.3997.5329709:20
2022 May 1, 03:3569110.0014    52354395.3097.455809:03
2023 Feb 13, 12:3669020.0014    51553495.1197.4113308:49
CZ 11 fourth stage
2020-065K
46463
Re-entered - 2021 Feb 21
Life 159 days
Launched six Jilin HR satellites. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites to hasten re-entry.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 15, 05:4867960.0285    22461192.9397.47317


2020-066
CZ 4B
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Sep 21, 05:40
Haiyang 2-03 (Ocean 2-03)
2020-066A
46469
in space
Oceanographic satellite to observe ocean surface heights, wave heights and wind patterns. Also carries a radio receiver for AIS to track ships and relay short messages, and a receiver to relay data from remote buoys on the ocean surface. Orbit inclined at 66° provides extended coverage of mid-latitude areas compared with sun-synchronous orbit as used by predecessors.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 21, 08:3073180.0012    931948103.8366.00251
2020 Sep 25, 00:5873300.0011    944960104.0966.00241
CZ 4B third stage
2020-066B
46470
in space
Launched Haiyang 2C. Perigee lowered after releasing satellite in order to hasten re-entry.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 21, 08:3571750.0199    654939100.8066.06356


2020-067
CZ 4B
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Sep 27, 03:23
Huanjing 2A (Environmental Satellite 2A)
2020-067A
46478
in space
Chinese optical imaging satellite for disaster and environmental monitoring

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 27, 20:4170050.0038    60165497.2697.982210:40
2020 Oct 3, 13:2270210.0019    63065697.5898.0535010:40
2023 Feb 13, 11:2870190.0000    64064197.5397.977511:01
Huanjing 2B (Environmental Satellite 2B)
2020-067B
46479
in space
Chinese optical imaging satellite for disaster and environmental monitoring

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 29, 13:1370040.0040    59865597.2497.981510:40
2020 Oct 4, 01:5870170.0025    62265797.5098.0535310:40
2023 Feb 13, 10:4070190.0001    64064197.5397.989811:02
CZ 4B third stage
2020-067D
46481
Re-entered - 2025 Mar 4
Life 1619 days
Launched Huanjjin 2A and 2B. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites in order to hasten re-entry

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 27, 15:3669200.0165    42765695.4897.9616


2020-068
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 Sep 28, 11:20
Gonets 27 (Gonets M-27)
2020-068A
46486
in space
Store and forward communications satellite for Russia's civil/commercial system. Released from the launch vehicle at about 13:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 28, 15:4478750.0012    14871506115.9182.50299
Gonets 28 (Gonets M-28)
2020-068B
46487
in space
Store and forward communications satellite for Russia's civil/commercial system. Released from the launch vehicle at about 13:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 28, 15:4778740.0012    14861505115.8982.50294
Gonets 29 (Gonets M-29)
2020-068C
46488
in space
Store and forward communications satellite for Russia's civil/commercial system. Released from the launch vehicle at about 13:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 28, 15:3878720.0013    14841504115.8682.50285
MeznSat
2020-068D
46489
Re-entered - 2025 May 6
Life 1681 days
3U Cubesat - built by students from the Khalifa University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and designed to detect greenhouse gas concentrations. Catalogue information supplied by Nico Janssen from radio tracking data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 2, 14:3269340.0017    54456895.7797.67223
Yarilo 1
2020-068E
46490
Re-entered - 2025 Mar 11
Life 1625 days
1.5U Cubesat - one of a simultaneously-launched pair built by the Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU) and the Lebedev Physical Institute of Russia. Designed to study solar activity within the x-ray range. Equipped with a steerable solar sail to control station-keeping with its partner whilst operating on orbit. Catalogue information supplied by Nico Janssen from radio tracking data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 29, 21:0369340.0017    54556895.7897.6723701:13
Yarilo 2
2020-068F
46491
Re-entered - 2025 Feb 12
Life 1598 days
1.5U Cubesat - one of a simultaneously-launched pair built by the Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU) and the Lebedev Physical Institute of Russia. Designed to study solar activity within the x-ray range. Equipped with a steerable solar sail to control station-keeping with its partner whilst operating on orbit. Catalogue information supplied by Nico Janssen from radio tracking data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 29, 22:3969340.0017    54556895.7897.6723601:13
LacunaSat 3
2020-068G
46492
Re-entered - 2025 Feb 4
Life 1590 days
3U Cubesat - demonstrator satellite from Lithuanian company Nanoavionics with a receiver for data from Internet connected devices.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 29, 22:3969340.0017    54556895.7897.67235
Dekart
2020-068H
46493
in space
3U CubeSat built by Moscow State University and the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics - possible government/military mission. Catalogue information supplied by Nico Janssen from radio tracking data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 29, 22:3969350.0016    54556895.7897.67236
Norbi
2020-068J
46494
in space
6U Cubesat from Novosibirsk State University, mission details awaited. Catalogue information supplied by Nico Janssen from radio tracking data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 29, 19:2869350.0016    54656895.7997.67238
SALSAT (Spectrum AnaLysis SATellite)
2020-068K
46495
in space
Small satellite from the Technische Universität of Berlin aimed to analyze the global use of S-band, and the VHF and UHF amateur radio bands in order to study the increasing number of users and the potential for radio interference. Catalogue information supplied by Nico Janssen from radio tracking data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 29, 22:3969350.0015    54656895.7997.67228
ICEYE X7
2020-068L
46496
in space
Small satellite fitted with a sythetic aperture radar for Earth surface imaging. Ultimately intended to be part of an eighteen satellite constellation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 29, 22:4069360.0013    54956795.8297.6723301:13
ICEYE X6
2020-068M
46497
in space
Small satellite fitted with a sythetic aperture radar for Earth surface imaging. Ultimately intended to be part of an eighteen satellite constellation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Sep 29, 17:5269360.0014    54956895.8297.6723201:13
Kepler 04 (Antilles)
2020-068N
46498
Re-entered - 2024 Nov 22
Life 1516 days
6U Cubesat - Kepler Gen 1 satellite, part of a planned 140 satellite constellation from Kepler Aerospace carrying a high capacity communications system to provide links between other satellites and the ground, and a prototype of an Internet communications system.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 29, 19:2969380.0011    55256895.8597.67239
Kepler 05 (Amidala)
2020-068P
46499
in space
6U Cubesat - Kepler Gen 1 satellite, part of a planned 140 satellite constellation from Kepler Aerospace carrying a high capacity communications system to provide links between other satellites and the ground, and a prototype of an Internet communications system.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 29, 22:4169380.0011    55256895.8697.67240
Lemur-2 (Slicers)
2020-068Q
46500
Re-entered - 2024 Oct 9
Life 1472 days
3U Cubesat - equipped with a receiver for AIS (Automatic Information System) for tracking ships at sea, and a receiver that uses occultation measurements of GPS satellite signals to measure temperature, pressure and humidity profiles in the Earth's atmosphere for weather forecasting. Developed by Spire (formerly Nanosatisfi). Lemur-2 satellites are named after development and support team members.

One of four Lemur-2 satellites carried on the 2020-068 launch, all are in similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 30, 22:3969380.0011    55256895.8697.67236
NetSat 1
2020-068W
46506
in space
3U Cubesat - designed to fly in formation with three similar satellites to demonstrate self-organisation of a cluster for future missions such as 3D mapping and cloud formation studies.

One of four NetSat satellites carried on the 2020-068 launch, all are in similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Sep 30, 14:4169400.0010    55456895.8997.67243
Fregat rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Sep 28
Life <1 day
Launched three Gonets-M satellites and nineteen smaller payloads. Separated from Soyuz upper stage at 11:30 UTC. Caused to re-enter after releasing the satellites, over the Ocean to the south of Australia around 4.5 hours after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-069
Antares 230+
Mid Atlantic Regional Space Port, Wallops Island
2020 Oct 3, 01:16
Cygnus NG-14 (SS Kalpana Chawla)
2020-069A
46530
Re-entered - 2021 Jan 26
Life 115 days
Northrop Grumman vehicle carrying supplies to ISS under CRS-2 contract with NASA. Captured by ISS RMS under manual control Oct 5 at 09:32 UTC. Docked under ground control with the downward-facing port of the Unity module at 12:01 UTC. Undocked 2021 Jan 6, approx 12:25 UTC using the RMS under ground control. Released into independent orbit at 15:11:40 UTC following the release command sent at 15:10.45 UTC. A pair of engine firings mid Jan 26, UTC prepared the orbit for retro-fire at approx 19:40 UTC that led to destructive re-entry at 20:23 UTC near 45° south, 160° west

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 3, 21:3065900.0040    18523888.7251.62125
2020 Oct 4, 22:3667930.0002    41441792.8751.64119
2020 Oct 5, 04:4467950.0002    41541892.9051.65125
2020 Oct 5, 10:0667980.0001    41942192.9751.64124
2021 Jan 5, 14:2167970.0001    41841992.9551.65180
2021 Jan 7, 04:5268610.0010    47648994.2651.64287
2021 Jan 26, 07:2168600.0011    47549094.2551.64356
2021 Jan 26, 18:0266440.0144    17036189.8251.65303
Antares second stage
2020-069B
46531
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 7
Life 4 days
Launched SS Kalpana Chawla.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 3, 17:0265830.0045    17523588.5951.66102


2020-070
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 12)
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Oct 6, 11:29
Starlink 1644
2020-070A
46532
Re-entered - 2025 Feb 12
Life 1590 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle at 12:30 UTC.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 14, 14:0066790.0002    30030290.5452.99267
Falcon 9 upper stage
2020-070BS
46669
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 30
Life 24 days
Launched cluster of sixty Starlink satellites.

A pre-launch navigation warning indicated SpaceX's intention for the upper stage to re-enter above the Indian Ocean about 2.5 hrs (1.5 Earth circuits) after lift-off. However, 2020 Oct 16 (ten days after launch) Space-Track started to issue element sets for an item it identified as the rocket body. Analysis indicates that retro-fire did not occur..

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 5, 13:5966410.0020    25027789.7852.99302
2020 Oct 16, 13:1966280.0017    23826189.5052.99330


2020-071
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Oct 11, 16:57
Gaofen 13-01
2020-071A
46610
in space
Chinese optical remote sensing satellite. Probably entered geosynchronous drift orbit around 21:30 UTC on day of launch.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Oct 11, 19:19243880.7310    18335836631.7128.53180
2020 Oct 20, 15:50421650.0003    35775357991436.131.98282117°.9 E
2023 Feb 12, 22:57421660.0004    35770358051436.140.07160117°.9 E
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-071B
46611
Re-entered - 2021 Jan 2
Life 83 days
Launched Gaofen 13.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 11, 20:37236610.7243    14534419603.6628.50179


2020-072
Soyuz-2.1a
Baikonur Cosmodrome
2020 Oct 14, 05:45
Soyuz MS-17 (Soyuz 11F732A48 № 747)
2020-072A
46613
Re-entered - 2021 Apr 17
Life 185 days Returned to Earth
Carrying crew to ISS - Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (Roscosmos), and Kate Rubins (NASA). Precise launch time 05:45:04 UTC. Docked with Rassvet module two orbits after launch with soft dock at 08:48:44 UTC and hard dock about 2 min later. Orbit details for the period between launch and docking are not available. Undocked from Rassvet 2021 Mar 19 at 16:38 UTC carrying its original crew. Docked with Poisk module at 20:12 UTC. The move was in order to make Rassvet available for Soyuz MS-18 and free-up Poisk for use during EVA after Soyuz MS-17 departure. Undocked 2021 Apr 17 at 01:34:04 UTC carrying its original crew. Retrofire at 04:01:33 UTC led to Landing in Kazakhstan at 04:55:12 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 14, 12:0567970.0002    41842092.9451.6427
Soyuz upper stage
2020-072B
46614
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 18
Life 4 days
Launched Soyuz MS-17.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 14, 12:5465850.0020    19322088.6351.6566


2020-073
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 13)
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Oct 18, 12:25
Starlink 1819
2020-073A
46670
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 25
Life 7 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle at 13:29 UTC.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 20, 22:4266380.0011    25226789.7053.05328
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 18
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of sixty Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above the Indian Ocean about 2.5 hrs (1.5 Earth circuits) after lift-off.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-074
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 14)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Oct 24, 15:31
Starlink 1847
2020-074A
46739
Re-entered - 2021 Jul 14
Life 263 days
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Separated from launch vehicle at 16:34 UTC.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 3, 20:0066840.0001    30530790.6553.0545
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Oct 24
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of sixty Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above the Indian Ocean about 2.5 hrs (1.5 Earth circuits) after lift-off.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-075
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 Oct 25, 19:08
Cosmos 2547 (Uragan-K1 № 13L)
2020-075A
46805
in space
GLONASS-K navigation satellite. It also carries radio receiving equipment for the COSPAS-SARSAT international search and rescue system. Released from the launch vehicle Oct 26 at around 01:20 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 30, 17:54255030.0008    1910319146675.5364.81231
2020 Dec 3, 03:32255420.0008    1914219185677.0764.797
2020 Dec 25, 15:52255080.0006    1911319146675.7364.78256
Fregat rocket stage
2020-075B
46806
in space
Launched GLONASS navsat. Orbit raised after releasing satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 26, 07:31258580.0078    1927919680689.6864.89108


2020-076
CZ 2C
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Oct 26, 15:19
Yaogan 30-07A
2020-076A
46807
in space
One of a triplet of simultaneously-launched satellites described as being for "electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests”. That may indicate they are electronic intelligence gathering satellites. The three satellites will be spaced at 120º intervals around the orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 27, 03:4269750.0011    58960496.6234.99299
2020 Oct 31, 18:5669910.0006    60961896.9634.99231
2023 Feb 13, 07:0069720.0002    59259596.5535.00309
Yaogan 30-07B
2020-076B
46808
in space
One of a triplet of simultaneously-launched satellites described as being for "electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests”. That may indicate they are electronic intelligence gathering satellites. The three satellites will be spaced at 120º intervals around the orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 27, 03:4269750.0011    58960496.6134.99300
2020 Oct 30, 21:5669810.0007    59860796.7435.00285
2023 Feb 13, 01:3669720.0002    59259596.5535.00219
Yaogan 30-07C
2020-076C
46809
in space
One of a triplet of simultaneously-launched satellites described as being for "electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests”. That may indicate they are electronic intelligence gathering satellites. The three satellites will be spaced at 120º intervals around the orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 26, 21:3669750.0011    58960496.6134.99296
2020 Oct 30, 20:0569700.0008    58659896.5335.00312
2023 Feb 13, 07:3069720.0008    58859996.5535.00281
Tianqi 6
2020-076D
46810
in space
6U Cubesat? - comsat providing messaging communication links from LEO including between Internet-connected items. Part of the planned 38 satellite Guodian Gaoke (Apocalypse) constellation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 26, 23:1969720.0015    58460496.5635.00310
CZ 2C second stage
2020-076E
46811
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 14
Life 1541 days
Launched cluster of three Yaogan-30 satellites. Perigee lowered after satellite release.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 27, 00:4868950.0122    43360194.9735.3361


2020-077
Electron (I Can't Believe It's Not Optical)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Oct 28, 21:21
Flock 4E'-1
2020-077A
46813
Re-entered - 2023 Dec 8
Life 1136 days
3U Cubesat, part of Planet's Flock 4E' cluster of second generation imaging satellites.

All nine Flock-4E' satellites carried on this launch are in similar orbits

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Oct 29, 00:0968980.0012    51152895.0297.5033609:42
2023 Feb 12, 23:0868520.0009    46847994.0797.3929309:45
CE-Sat 2B (Canon Electric Satellite 2B)
2020-077F
46818
in space
Small remote sensing satellite built by Canon Electronics as a demonstrator for ultra high sensitivity camera for producing night images of the Earth's surface, and two or more small telescopes suitable for integration into a Cubesat.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Oct 29, 15:2768940.0011    50852494.9497.5030609:42
2023 Feb 13, 09:5468820.0012    49651294.7097.3927109:35
Electron second stage
2020-077l
46823
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 11
Life 14 days
Launched CE-Sat IIB and nine satellites of Planet Labs Flock 4E'.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 28, 22:4767270.0250    18151791.5297.50226
Electron third stage (kick stage)
2020-077M
46824
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 14
Life 1173 days
Launched CE-Sat IIB and nine satellites of Planet Labs Flock 4E'. After releasing its satellites, the kick stage performed a plane change in order to demonstrate its manoeuvrability. It lowered orbital inclination by 0.9°.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Oct 29, 10:4268940.0012    50852594.9596.64320


2020-I14
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Nov 5, 09:05
SpOC (Spectral Ocean Color)
1998-067RR
46921
Re-entered - 2022 Jun 25
Life 597 days
3U Cubesat from the University of Georgia' Small Satellite Research Laboratory, equipped with medium resolution optical sensors to study vegetation, sediments, and organic matter in ocean shelf waters and salt marshes, particularly off the State of Georgia. One of three satellites as part of NASA's ELaNa 31 initiative (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 18, 12:0467940.0003    41441892.8851.6427
Bobcat 1
1998-067RS
46922
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 9
Life 520 days
3U Cubesat from Ohio University designed to study the time offsets between different global navigation satellite constellations. One of three satellites as part of NASA's ELaNa 31 initiative (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 18, 05:5367940.0003    41441892.8851.6430


2020-I15
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Nov 5, 10:40
Neutron 1
1998-067RT
46923
Re-entered - 2022 Jun 25
Life 597 days
3U Cubesat from the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory to study low energy neutron flux in low Earth orbit. objective to validate a similar instrument for the planned LunaH-Map mission to the Moon. One of three satellites as part of NASA's ELaNa 31 initiative (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 18, 19:4967940.0003    41441892.8951.6440


2020-I16
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Nov 5, 12:15
Lemur-2 (Djara)
1998-067RW
46926
Re-entered - 2022 Jan 4
Life 425 days
3U Cubesat - equipped with a receiver for AIS (Automatic Information System) for tracking ships at sea, and a receiver that uses occultation measurements of GPS satellite signals to measure temperature, pressure and humidity profiles in the Earth's atmosphere for weather forecasting. Includes the Djara payload from Australia’s Office of National Intelligence to develop systems for processing data onboard satellites before transmitting it ti the ground. Lemur-2 satellites are usually named after development and support team members but Djara is the indigenous Australian word for stars.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 17, 12:5367940.0003    41441892.8851.6556


2020-I17
Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer
International Space Station
2020 Nov 5, 13:15
DESCENT (DEorbiting SpaceCraft using ElectrodyNamic Tethers)
1998-067RU
46924
Re-entered - 2021 Dec 30
Life 420 days
2U Cubesat from York University, Toronto.. Designed to split into two separate 1U Cubesats joined by a 100m electrically conducting metal tape tether. The tether is expected to generate current by collecting electrons from the ionosphere. The Lorenz Force resulting from subsequent interaction with the Earth's magnetic field will be evaluated as a potential orbit adjustment device.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 18, 19:4967940.0003    41341892.8851.6460
Lemur-2 (Baxter-Oliver)
1998-067RV
46925
Re-entered - 2021 Dec 20
Life 410 days
3U Cubesat - equipped with a receiver for AIS (Automatic Information System) for tracking ships at sea, and a receiver that uses occultation measurements of GPS satellite signals to measure temperature, pressure and humidity profiles in the Earth's atmosphere for weather forecasting. Developed by Spire (formerly Nanosatisfi). Lemur-2 satellites are named after development and support team members.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 18, 05:5367940.0003    41441892.8851.6457
SATLLA
1998-067RX
46927
Re-entered - 2022 Jun 19
Life 591 days
1U Cubesat from Ariel University, Israel equipped with a low resolution imager and an amateur radio system to return telemetry. Also fitted with a flashing light capable of being seen by amateur telescopes.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 17, 09:4867940.0003    41441892.8951.6558


2020-078
Falcon 9 Block 5
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Nov 5, 23:24
USA 309 (GPS IIIA SV04)
2020-078A
46826
in space
Block 3 GPS Navsat. Released from launch vehicle approx 90 min after lift-off.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 6, 04:15166710.5933    40220184357.0354.99270
2020 Nov 25, 23:15265610.0001    2017920186717.9954.97109
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 6
Life 1 day
Launched USA 309. An engine firing shortly after releasing the satellite caused destructive re-entry above the Indian Ocean, near perigee and about six hours, 1.5 circuits, after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-079
CZ 6 (Y-3)
Taiyuan Space Centre
2020 Nov 6, 03:19
ÑuSat 12 (Dorothy)
2020-079A
46827
Re-entered - 2023 Sep 28
Life 1056 days
Small satellite from Satellogic of Argentina to provide earth images in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum using real-time imaging and video.

One of ten ÑuSat satellites carried on this launch - all are in similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Nov 7, 19:5168520.0008    46847994.0797.2723710:30
2023 Feb 13, 11:0868000.0007    41842793.0297.1714610:09
Beihangkongshi 1
2020-079M
46838
Re-entered - 2023 Dec 5
Life 1124 days
12U Cubesat - developed by Tianyi Research Institute (SpaceTy) as a technology demonstrator for space systems including a French designed and built iodine-fuelled thruster from ThrustMe, a 6G communications payload using TeraHerz frequencies, and an ADBS receiver for receiving navigation information and relaying messages from aircraft in flight. Also may carry an optical Earth imaging system.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Nov 7, 04:1668480.0006    46647393.9997.2728310:30
2021 Nov 24, 20:4268380.0006    45646593.8097.23510:22
BY70-3 (Taiyuan)
2020-079N
46839
Re-entered - 2023 Apr 8
Life 883 days
2U Cubesat from the China Association for Science and Technology, in conjunction with Taiyuan City Jinshan Middle School, carrying an educational payload including an imaging system. Also carries an amateur radio system. Identification by Nico Janssen based on radio tracking.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Nov 11, 03:3068480.0006    46547393.9997.2726710:30
2021 Nov 24, 22:4368380.0007    45546593.7997.23510:22
Tianyan 05
2020-079xx
in space
Small satellite equipped with a remote sensing payload.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
estimated orbit68480.0010    46347693.9997.2624610:30
CZ 6 third stage
2020-079Q
46841
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 21
Life 45 days
Launched thirteen small satellites. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 6, 18:3367090.0208    19147191.1597.2650


2020-080
Ceres 1 (Gushenxing 1 Y-1)
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Nov 7, 07:12
Tianqi 11 (Scorpio 1)
2020-080A
46904
Re-entered - 2023 Oct 17
Life 1074 days
Comsat providing messaging communication links from LEO including between Internet-connected items. First satellite for new Chinese commercial launch vehicle.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Nov 7, 13:1468710.0010    48650094.4797.4130113:31
2023 Feb 13, 10:4668240.0010    44045393.5097.4825114:17
Ceres 1 fourth stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 7
Life <1 day
Launched Tianqi 11. Caused to re-enter after releasing satellite.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-081
PSLV-DL (PSLV C-49)
Satish Dhawan Space Centre
2020 Nov 7, 07:41
Lemur-2 (Ozarak)
2020-81D
46908
Re-entered - 2024 Oct 14
Life 1437 days
3U Cubesat - equipped with a receiver for AIS (Automatic Information System) for tracking ships at sea, and a receiver that uses occultation measurements of GPS satellite signals to measure temperature, pressure and humidity profiles in the Earth's atmosphere for weather forecasting. Developed by Spire (formerly Nanosatisfi). Lemur-2 satellites are named after development and support team members.

One of four Lemur-2 satellites carried on the 2020-081 launch, all are in similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 7, 17:3569490.0008    56557696.0836.91328
EOS 01 (Earth Observation Satellite 1)
2020-081A
46905
in space
Indian civil Earth observation satellite for use in agriculture, forestry and disaster mangement support. Launch delayed ten minutes because of rain in the launch zone.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 7, 17:0569510.0007    56857896.1236.90306
2021 Mar 31, 03:1069500.0006    56857696.1136.9024
2021 Mar 31, 19:1069510.0005    56957696.1236.9032
2021 Sep 15, 21:1569510.0007    56757796.1136.90322
2021 Sep 16, 03:3969510.0007    56857896.1236.90324
Kleos Scouting Mission 1c (KSM-1c)
2020-081B
46906
in space
6U Cubesat - one of four satellites orbiting together, designed to observe maritime activity, particularly of shipping in strategic areas not using AIS. Carries radio receivers to monitor nautical radio bands. Satellite built by GomSpace in Denmark for Luxemburg company Kleos Space.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 14, 16:5569500.0008    56657796.1036.9014
2021 Nov 29, 09:5769460.0005    56457196.0136.90208
Kleos Scouting Mission 1d (KSM-1d)
2020-081C
46907
in space
6U Cubesat - one of four satellites orbiting together, designed to observe maritime activity, particularly of shipping in strategic areas not using AIS. Carries radio receivers to monitor nautical radio bands. Satellite built by GomSpace in Denmark for Luxemburg company Kleos Space.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 12, 00:5769500.0008    56657796.0936.90355
2021 Nov 29, 09:5769450.0007    56257296.0136.90233
Kleos Scouting Mission 1a (KSM-1a)
2020-081H
46912
in space
6U Cubesat - one of four satellites orbiting together, designed to observe maritime activity, particularly of shipping in strategic areas not using AIS. Carries radio receivers to monitor nautical radio bands. Satellite built by GomSpace in Denmark for Luxemburg company Kleos Space.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 10, 13:4469470.0009    56357696.0536.903
2021 Nov 29, 05:0969450.0005    56457196.0136.90303
R2
2020-081J
46913
in space
6U Cubesat - from Lithuania to demonstrate a thruster system for orbit adjustment, and other equipment.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 16, 13:3369470.0010    56257596.0336.9051
Kleos Scouting Mission 1b (KSM-1b)
2020-081K
46914
in space
6U Cubesat - one of four satellites orbiting together, designed to observe maritime activity, particularly of shipping in strategic areas not using AIS. Carries radio receivers to monitor nautical radio bands. Satellite built by GomSpace in Denmark for Luxemburg company Kleos Space.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 12, 08:5869470.0009    56257496.0336.9025
2021 Nov 29, 01:5769450.0010    56057496.0136.91259
PSLV upper stage
2020-081L
46915
in space
Launched EOS 1 and nine small satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 7, 13:4769220.0040    51657195.5236.8577


2020-082
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Nov 12, 15:59
Tiantong 1-02
2020-082A
46916
in space
Part of Chinese satellite-based mobile telecom network - operated by China Telecom. Provides services including voice, short messages and data transmission for users in China and surrounding areas, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Probably entered geosynchronous drift orbit 2020 Nov 12 or 13 and arrived on station soon after.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Nov 12, 23:42243730.7313    17035820631.1328.44178
2020 Nov 25, 18:56421650.0003    35773358001436.115.46303124°.9 E
2023 Feb 12, 23:55421650.0002    35779357951436.103.5565125°.0 E
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-082B
46917
Re-entered - 2021 Feb 28
Life 108 days
Launched Tiantong 1-02.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 13, 17:48236720.7243    14934439604.1228.41178


2020-083
Atlas V 531
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Nov 13, 22:32
USA 310
2020-083A
46918
in space
Mission details awaited. An amateur photograph of what was probably a propellant dump from the the Atlas upper stage indicated that the satellite was aimed at a high orbit with ~60° inclination. Orbit based on data from amateur sources.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 16, 12:26174290.0009    1103511066381.6458.53274
2020 Dec 20, 23:48174640.0008    1107211100382.8158.52271
Atlas upper stage (Centaur)
2020-083B
46919
in space
Launched USA 310. Perigee lowered after releasing the satellite. Orbit based on data from amateur sources.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 17, 08:50171550.0144    1053011024372.6858.81115


2020-084
Falcon 9 Block 5
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Nov 16, 00:27
SpaceX Dragon Crew 1 (Dragon Resilience flight #1)
2020-084A
46920
Re-entered - 2021 May 2
Life 167 days Returned to Earth
Crew flight to ISS provided by by SpaceX under contract to NASA. Crew of NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins (commander), Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, and Sochi Noguchi (JAXA). Docked with the forward port of the Harmony module of ISS 2020 Nov 17 at 04:01 UTC. Hooks and latches were engaged a few minutes later. 2021 Apr 5 at 10:30 UTC, carrying its original crew, Dragon undocked from ISS. It re-docked using Harmony's upper port at 11:08 UTC. Undocked, carrying original crew, 2021 May 2 at 00:35 UTC followed by retro-fire at 06:03 UTC led to splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico at 06:56 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 16, 00:5165770.0015    18920988.4751.65358
2020 Nov 16, 21:5667870.0001    40841092.7551.65201
2020 Nov 17, 02:4467990.0007    41742693.0051.65198
2020 Nov 17, 08:4567980.0002    41842192.9651.6558
2021 May 1, 12:3767980.0003    41842292.9751.64305
2021 May 2, 02:2267870.0005    40541292.7451.64312
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 15
Life <1 day
Launched Crew Dragon Demo 2 mission. Caused to re-enter above the southern Indian Ocean about one hour after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable
Crew Dragon trunk module
2020-084B
48342
Re-entered - 2022 Jul 9
Life 600 days
Separated from Dragon Endeavour 2021 May 2 at 05:58 UTC, prior to retrofire.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2021 May 2, 09:4667870.0003    40641192.7451.55291


2020-F09 - failed to reach orbit
Vega (VV-17)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Nov 17, 01:52
SEOSAT-Ingenio
Earth observation satellite owned by Spain's Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI). Intended for 670 km sun-synchronous orbit with LTDN 10:30. Lost when the Vega fourth stage nozzle steering failed to engage due to an incorrectly-connected cable. Probably re-entered north of the Arctic Circle still attached to the rocket stage.
Taranis
Science satellite from CNES to study transient luminous events (TLE) and terrestrial Gamma-ray flashes (TGF) in the upper atmosphere Intended for 676 km sun-synchronous orbit with LTDN 10:30. Lost when the Vega fourth stage nozzle steering failed to engage due to an incorrectly-connected cable. Probably re-entered north of the Arctic Circle still attached to the rocket stage.


2020-085
Electron (In Focus)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Nov 20, 02:20
Mandrake 1
2020-085C
46931
Re-entered - 2024 Mar 28
Life 1224 days
6U Cubesat (3x2) - Demonstrator mission for use of supercomputing chips from US Defense Advanced Research Program Agency under its 'Blackjack' program intended to lead to a high-speed communications system in orbit.This satellite was not included in the manifest for the launch contained in Rocket Lab's pre-launch Press Kit

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 21, 15:1868790.0014    49151194.6397.37278
2023 Feb 13, 09:1368440.0012    45747493.9197.47296
QuakeTEC (APSS-1)
2020-085D
46932
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 30
Life 1166 days
1U Cubesat from the University of Auckland Programme for Space Systems, a competition for students to propose a mission and then design and build a Cubesat. Fitted with a Langmuir probe to detect and measure plasma in low orbit. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 23, 22:3468810.0015    49251294.6797.36283
BRO 2 (Breizh Reconnaissance Orbiter 2)
2020-085M
46940
Re-entered - 2024 Nov 27
Life 1468 days
6U Cubesat (3x2) from Unseen Labs of France for signal intelligence (SIGINT) reporting, specifically for maritime and airborne traffic.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 22, 00:4868820.0011    49751294.7097.37294
2023 Feb 13, 12:1468580.0010    47348794.2097.48318
BRO 3 (Breizh Reconnaissance Orbiter 3)
2020-085Q
46943
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 23
Life 1159 days
6U Cubesat (3x2) from Unseen Labs of France for signal intelligence (SIGINT) reporting, specifically for maritime and airborne traffic.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 23, 22:3768830.0011    49751294.7297.36294
2023 Feb 13, 10:4768410.0010    45646993.8497.45309
SpaceBEE 22
2020-085AA
46953
Re-entered - 2022 Oct 22
Life 701 days
0.25U Cubesat from Swarm Technologies to to provide a two-way communications system from LEO. Swarm intends to operate a 150 satellite constellation. To aid tracking, the satellite carries a radar retro-reflector. It also carries a GPS receiver to help determine its location.

One of eighteen similar satellites carried on this launch, all were injected into similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 23, 19:2868830.0015    49551594.7297.37304
Dragracer (Alchemy)
2020-085AB
46954
Re-entered - 2021 Jul 19
Life 241 days
6U Cubesat from TriSept Corporation - one of a simultaneously-launched pair of similar satellites to compare orbital decay rates where one satellites is fitted with a drag-producing device. The satellites were joined together on release from the launch vehicle and then separated from each other shortly after. Alchemy trailed an attached 70m long tape and was expected to re-enter after 8-12 months due to the extra drag produced. It re-entered 2021 Jul 19 at around noon UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 21, 05:5268840.0012    49851494.7497.37313
2020 Dec 8, 05:1068770.0015    48850894.5897.36260
2021 Jul 19, 10:2865610.0018    17119588.1497.31282
Dragracer (Augury)
2020-085AC
46955
in space
6U Cubesat from TriSept Corporation - one of a simultaneously-launched pair of similar satellites to compare orbital decay rates where one satellites is fitted with drag-producing device. The satellites were joined together on release from the launch vehicle and then separated from each other shortly after. Augury has no drag device fitted and is expected to stay in orbit for several years.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 23, 22:3968840.0013    49751594.7497.36304
2020 Dec 7, 23:1268840.0012    49851494.7497.37250
2021 Jul 19, 21:5068830.0013    49651494.7297.40180
SpaceBEE NZ-1
2020-085AG
46959
Re-entered - 2023 Mar 7
Life 837 days
0.25U Cubesat from Swarm Technologies, New Zealand to provide a two-way communications system from LEO as part of a 150 satellite constellation. To aid tracking,the satellite carries a radar retro-reflector. It also carries a GPS receiver to help determine its location. Released as part of a cluster of 28 satellites in a sequence beginning 16:08 UTC.

One of a batch of six SpaceBee satellites from New Zealand carried on this launch, all were aimed at similar orbits.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 27, 15:0068810.0015    49251394.6897.37273
2023 Feb 13, 09:1967250.0014    33835691.4897.44292
Electron third stage (kick stage)
2020-085A
46929
Re-entered - 2023 Sep 21
Life 1035 days
Launched group of 29 satellites. Attached is a 150mm tall titanium 'Gnome Chompski' from the 'Half Life' video game series - purpose is to evaluate 3D printed components for space use. Catalogue Number and Designation subject to confirmation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 23, 20:5968800.0011    49550994.6697.37285
Electron second stage
2020-085B
46930
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 30
Life 10 days
Launched group of 29 satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 20, 04:3267180.0245    17650591.3497.37219


2020-086
Falcon 9 Block 5
Vandenberg Air Force Base
2020 Nov 21, 17:17
Sentinel 6 (Michael Freilich)
2020-086A
46984
in space
First of of a pair of ocean studies satellites to be launched five years apart. Joint NASA/ESA mission equipped with a radar altimeter to measure heights of sea level around the world. A microwave radiometer measures water vapour in the atmosphere in order to ensure the radar altimeter readings are properly calibrated. Also carries a GPS receiver and a laser reflector for precise orbit measurement.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 22, 13:0476980.0012    13101329112.0266.07239
2020 Dec 1, 11:3976930.0006    13111320111.9266.05260
Falcon 9 upper stage
2020-086B
46985
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 21
Life <1 day
Launched Sentinel 6. Caused to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere about 2 hrs after lift off - approximately 1.25 circuits of the Earth.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 21, 18:5776980.0009    13131327112.0366.06248


2020-087
CZ 5 (Y5)
Wenchang Space Centre
2020 Nov 23, 20:30
Chang'e 5
2020-087A
47097
in space
Lunar exploration spacecraft with mission including return to Earth of a lunar soil sample. Entered Barycentric orbit at about 20:55 UTC. Mid course corrections were made Nov 25 and Nov 26. On Nov 28, commencing at 12:58 UTC, a 17 minute engine firing placed Chang'e 5 into orbit around the Moon with parameters approx 217 x 5585 km, inclination not announced. Nov 29, after an engine firing was completed at 12:23 UTC, the orbit was circular ar 217 km, 45°.7 inclination. An engine firing Dec 12, 01:54 UTC resulted in a highly elliptical lunar orbit in preparation for departure towards Earth. Departure engine firing for return to Earth occurred Dec 13 at 01:51 UTC and lasted 22 minutes. Dec 16, after releasing the Sample Return Vehicle, a trajectory correction caused it to pass by Earth and enter Heliocentric orbit. Entered orbit round the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point 1 (L1) 2021 Mar 15 where it will remain and act as an engineering testbed for study of a spacecraft on a long duration deep space mission.
Stationed near the L1 Lagrange Point in the Earth-Sun system
Chang'e 5 Lander
uncatalogued
in space
Separated from Chang'e 5 2020 Nov 30 at 12:40 UTC. Retro-fire Dec 1 at around 14:56 UTC led to landing on Moon at 15:11:12 UTC in the north-west area of Oceanus Procellarum, near 43°.1 north, 51°.9 west. Dec 2 and Dec 3, soil and rock samples were collected using an excavator and a drill and deposited aboard the Ascent Stage.
Landed on the Moon
Chang'e 5 Lander - Ascent Stage
uncatalogued
in space
Separated from the descent stage and lifted off from Moon 2020 Dec 3 at 15:10 UTC, carrying lunar surface samples. Entered 15 x 180 km, 45°.7 orbit after a six minute engine firing. Docked with Chang'e 5 main vehicle Dec 5 around 21:40 UTC. Lunar samples were transferred shortly after. Undocked into independent orbit Dec 6, 04:35 UTC. Retrofire Dec 7 led to a relatively soft, but destructive, landing on the Moon Dec 7 around 23:30 UTC in a manoeuvre intended to result in the minimum amount of debris.
Hard landed on the Moon
Chang'e 5 Sample Return Vehicle
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 16
Life 23 days Returned to Earth
Separated from Chang'e 5 main spacecraft 2020 Dec 16. Followed a skip re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere above southern Africa commencing at 17:33 UTC, then landed Inner Mongolia at 17:59 UTC.
Orbit parameters not available
CZ 5 second stage
2020-087B
47098
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 30
Life 7 days
Launched Chang'e 5. Transfer orbit listed is Barycentric. Re-entered Earth's atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean after one circuit of the Earth-Moon system.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 23, 20:3066470.0010    26327689.8922.28118
2020 Nov 24, 00:001543830.9575    18129583010061.4421.39228


2020-088
Falcon 9 Block 5 (Starlink 15)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2020 Nov 25, 02:13
Starlink 1777
2020-088A
47122
in space
One member of a simultaneously-launched cluster of sixty LEO Broadband communications satellites from SpaceX aimed ultimately at 550 km altitude. Orbit parameters provided by SpaceX via Celestrak.

All satellites were injected initially into similar orbits at 200-300 km altitude.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 29, 02:3966750.0077    24634890.4653.0564
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Nov 25
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of sixty Starlink satellites. Caused to re-enter above the Indian Ocean about 2.5 hrs (1.5 Earth circuits) after lift-off.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-089
H-IIA 202 (F-43)
Tanegashima Space Centre
2020 Nov 29, 07:25
Japan Data Relay Satellite 1 (Optical Data Relay Satellite)
2020-089A
47202
in space
Japanese government/JAXA vehicle to act as a data relay for other satellites in low orbit, including use of a secure laser-based communications system. It will support a range of other vehicles including science and engineering satellites, and the IGS imaging reconnaissance satellites. Expected location - 90° east or 170° west.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Nov 29, 13:38244040.7282    25635797632.3628.43179
2020 Nov 30, 17:34280090.5055    747335790777.5211.88179
2020 Dec 8, 13:16421390.0006    35735357881434.790.0430190°.5 E
2020 Dec 9, 18:01421620.0002    35775357921435.930.042690°.7 E
2020 Dec 10, 12:42421640.0001    35779357921436.040.043190°.7 E
2023 Feb 12, 14:07421650.0003    35775357981436.100.0321490°.8 E
H-IIA upper stage
2020-089B
47203
Re-entered - 2021 Jun 13
Life 196 days
Launched Optical Data Relay Satellite.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Nov 29, 17:08239430.7243    22434906614.5228.42179


2020-090
Soyuz ST-A + Fregat-M (VS-24)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Dec 2, 01:33
FalconEye
2020-090A
47226
in space
United Arab Emirates government very high resolution imaging satellite combining strategic military photography with civil commercial imaging. Separated from launch vehicle at 02:32 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 2, 11:1669760.0001    59759996.6597.8727910:29
2020 Dec 12, 12:0069920.0002    61361596.9897.868610:29
2023 Feb 13, 15:0369920.0001    61361596.9897.868010:29
Fregat-M rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 2
Life <1 day
Launched FalconEye. Caused to re-enter above the Southern Indian Ocean about 2.5 hrs after launch at around 04:05 UTC.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-091
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 Dec 3, 01:14
Gonets 30 (Gonets M-30)
2020-091A
47227
in space
Store and forward communications satellite for Russia's civil/commercial system. Separated from the Fregat stage of the launch vehicle at about 03:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 3, 05:1178750.0012    14871506115.9182.50300
Gonets 31 (Gonets M-31)
2020-091B
47228
in space
Store and forward communications satellite for Russia's civil/commercial system. Separated from the Fregat stage of the launch vehicle at about 03:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 3, 05:1178740.0013    14861506115.9082.50295
Gonets 32 (Gonets M-32)
2020-091C
47229
in space
Store and forward communications satellite for Russia's civil/commercial system. Separated from the Fregat stage of the launch vehicle at about 03:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 3, 05:1178730.0014    14841506115.8782.50287
Cosmos 2548 (ERA-1)
2020-091D
47230
in space
Small satellite, possibly Cubesat-sized - military mission as demonstrator for miniaturised satellite components including test of an orientation system. Separated from the Fregat stage of the launch vehicle at about 03:30 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 3, 05:0978720.0014    14831506115.8682.50288
Fregat rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 3
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of Gonets-M satellites and Cosmos 2548. Caused to re-enter after releasing the satellites, over the Ocean to the south of Australia around 4.5 hours after launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-092
CZ 3B
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Dec 6, 03:58
Gaofen 14
2020-092A
47231
in space
High definition imaging satellite equipped with cameras for stereo views and mapping. First Xichang launch to sun-synchronous orbit since 2004.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 6, 22:4768670.0010    48149694.3897.3626910:30
2023 Feb 13, 13:3868660.0004    48549194.3797.3630510:42
CZ 3B fourth stage
2020-092B
47232
Re-entered - 2023 May 2
Life 877 days
Launched Gaofen 14. Perigee lowered after releasing satellte.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 6, 06:4768370.0097    39352693.7897.3642


2020-093
Falcon 9 Block 5
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Dec 6, 16:17
SpaceX Dragon 2 CRS-21
2020-093A
47233
Re-entered - 2021 Jan 14
Life 39 days Returned to Earth
Carrying a cargo to the ISS under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. Docked with the downward-facing port of the Harmony module Dec 7 at 18:40 UTC. Undocked 2021 Jan 12, 14:05 UTC. Retro-fire Jan 14, 00:37 UTC led to re-entry followed by splash-down at 01:26 UTC in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 6, 16:4065800.0015    19221288.5351.6515
2020 Dec 6, 20:5565970.0015    20922988.8851.64248
2020 Dec 7, 11:4767860.0007    40441392.7351.64157
2020 Dec 7, 16:3367970.0002    41842192.9551.64109
2020 Dec 8, 12:3367970.0002    41842092.9551.64108
2021 Jan 12, 08:4667970.0000    41941992.9551.65212
2021 Jan 12, 17:4166810.0152    20240590.5951.6457
2021 Jan 13, 17:3866810.0151    20140490.5751.6461
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 6
Life <1 day
Launched SpaceX Dragon CRS-21. Caused to re-enter above the Indian Ocean about 40 min after lift-off.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable
Dragon 2 trunk module
2020-093B
47308
Re-entered - 2021 Feb 3
Life 59 days
Separated from Dragon 2 CRS-21 2021 January 14 at 05:58:21 UTC, prior to retrofire.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2021 Jan 14, 20:4766780.0149    20140090.5251.6566


2020-094
CZ 11
Xichang Space Centre
2020 Dec 9, 20:14
GECAM A (Gravitational Wave High-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor)
2020-094A
47234
in space
One of a simultaneously-launched pair of satellites that will work together in detecting electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves, high-energy radiation from fast radio bursts, various gamma-ray bursts, and magnetar flares - particularly applicable to studies of compact objects, such as neutron stars and black holes, as well as the merger of binary compact objects.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 11, 05:3469740.0012    58760596.6029.00303
2022 Aug 23, 02:0069720.0012    58560296.5629.00219
GECAM B (Gravitational Wave High-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor)
2020-094B
47235
in space
One of a simultaneously-launched pair of satellites that will work together in detecting electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves, high-energy radiation from fast radio bursts, various gamma-ray bursts, and magnetar flares - particularly applicable to studies of compact objects, such as neutron stars and black holes, as well as the merger of binary compact objects.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 11, 10:2369740.0013    58760596.6029.00305
2022 Aug 23, 01:0269710.0013    58460296.5529.00219
CZ 11 fourth stage
2020-094D
47239
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 23
Life 14 days
Launched pair of GECAM satellites. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 11, 10:2467820.0371    15265692.6428.91293


2020-095
Delta 4 Heavy (NROL-44)
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
2020 Dec 11, 01:09
USA 311 (Mentor 8, Advanced Orion 8)
2019-095A
47237
in space
US government signals intelligence gathering (SIGINT) satellite. Separated from the launch vehicle in geosynchronous drift orbit.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Dec 22, 09:20423300.0082    35606362981444.557.97181
2021 Jan 5, 10:01421580.0040    35610359491435.747.9518251°.0 E
Delta 4 upper stage
2020-095B
47238
in space
Launched USA 311. Orbit parameters via amateur sources.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 14, 12:21436880.0266    36147384731514.617.97333


2020-096
Falcon 9 Block 5
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
2020 Dec 13, 17:30
Sirius XM-7
2020-096A
47240
in space
Commercial comsat intended to provide services to the continental USA including digital audio radio broadcast directly to cars, homes and portable radios. Originally expected location - 85°.15 west to replace Sirius XM-3 but 2021 late-January, it was revealed that the satellite suffered a number of failures during testing at 120° west. 2021 Mar 18 - commenced slow eastwards drift at 0.4° per day then settled at 115° west on Mar 30.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Dec 13, 23:30161930.5916    23519394341.7827.01175
2020 Dec 15, 20:18175370.6205    27822040385.2126.93177
2020 Dec 16, 15:36191690.6518    29625286440.2026.87178
2020 Dec 17, 15:32212250.6849    30929384512.8826.81179
2020 Dec 18, 05:38240300.7211    32434981617.8826.75179
2020 Dec 20, 16:33270120.5614    547035797736.3513.76181
2020 Dec 21, 04:51334880.2590    18438357821016.464.18181
2020 Dec 22, 15:25410940.0256    33665357681381.760.31171
2020 Dec 23, 21:47421260.0004    35732357651434.140.0753124°.8 W
2021 Jan 4, 16:17421650.0000    35785357891436.100.0495120°.5 W
2021 Mar 18, 03:47421650.0004    35771358031436.120.04345120°.5 W
2021 Mar 18, 13:23421520.0002    35766357821435.460.04319120°.5 W
2021 Mar 20, 09:47421190.0003    35730357521433.770.0412119°.6 W
2021 Mar 25, 10:31421330.0001    35750357591434.470.05352116°.8 W
2021 Mar 31, 05:43421650.0001    35784357911436.130.07270115°.3 W
2023 Feb 13, 10:58421650.0002    35777357971436.120.0113385°.2 W
Falcon 9 upper stage
2020-096B
47241
in space
Launched Sirius XM-7.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 13, 17:3866560.0183    15639990.0628.22102
2020 Dec 15, 18:24161750.5914    23119362341.2127.00177


2020-097
Angara A5 + Briz-M
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
2020 Dec 14, 05:50
Briz-M rocket stage
2020-097A
47242
in space
Carried on test flight of Angara 5 launch vehicle aimed at geosynchronous orbit. A satellite mass simulator remains intentionally attached to the Briz-M stage. The Briz-M issued a simulated separation command for the payload at 14:59 UTC on day of launch to indicate completion of the flight sequence. The Briz-M then manoeuvred to a geosynchronous graveyard orbit, as shown below.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 16, 05:23436370.0077    36923375941511.950.08144
2023 Feb 13, 04:07436200.0084    36873376101511.062.05242
Briz-M propellant tank
2020-097B
47243
in space
Discarded auxilliary propellant tank from Briz-M carried on the second Angara 5 test mission.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 16, 16:15249930.7296    38136849655.3859.970


2020-098
Electron (Return To Sender, STP-27RM)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand
2020 Dec 15, 10:09
StriX α
2020-098A
47253
Re-entered - 2023 Oct 31
Life 1050 days
Imaging satellite equipped with a synthetic aperture radar - produced by the University of Tokyo, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Keio University, Japan Space Systems, and a private company - Synspective Inc of Tokyo. Demonstrator for a future constellation of 25-30 satellites to monitor ground movement and ground changes in urban areas. The name derives from the scientific name for the owl and its sensitivity to low levels of light.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 16, 04:4368820.0013    49551394.7097.3730122:29
2023 Feb 13, 13:0368350.0012    44846593.7397.293822:10
Electron third stage (kick stage)
2020-098B
47254
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 10
Life 1121 days
Launched StriX-α.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 15, 11:3868820.0013    49551394.7097.37303
Electron second stage
2020-098C
47255
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 28
Life 13 days
Launched StriX-α.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 15, 11:2067170.0235    18149791.3197.38224


2020-F10 - failed to reach orbit
Rocket 3.2 (Astra LV0005)
Kodiak Launch Centre, Alaska
2020 Dec 15, 20:55
Rocket 3.2 second stage
Test mission of rocket from US manufacturer, Astra - intended to reach polar orbit at 340 km, 86° inclination. No satellite carried. Re-entered after second stage attained final velocity that was slightly less than required to reach orbit.


2020-099
PSLV-XL (PSLV C-50)
Satish Dhawan Space Centre
2020 Dec 17, 09:11
CMS-01 (GSat 12R)
2020-099A
47256
in space
Communications satellite covering the Indian mainland and the Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands. Replacement for GSat 12 (37746/2011-034A). Expected location - 83° east.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
GEO    
Longitude
2020 Dec 17, 13:33169570.6076    27620882366.2617.80179
2020 Dec 18, 16:48244030.7279    26335786632.3017.81180
2020 Dec 22, 14:24420910.0012    35661357641432.310.099874°.1 E
2020 Dec 25, 11:06421110.0008    35701357651433.370.098976°.5 E
2020 Dec 26, 22:03421370.0003    35747357691434.650.084877°.2 E
2020 Dec 29, 11:01421650.0002    35778357951436.100.08777°.8 E
2021 Jan 10, 09:59421450.0007    35738357951435.080.054177°.8 E
2021 Jan 17, 11:33421160.0001    35735357401433.600.0513581°.9 E
2021 Jan 19, 01:27421370.0001    35755357631434.680.045782°.6 E
2021 Jan 22, 17:07421650.0007    35756358171436.100.031683°.0 E
2023 Feb 12, 19:12421650.0007    35755358191436.120.0417683°.0 E
PSLV upper stage
2020-099B
47257
in space
Launched CMS-01.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 17, 13:32168340.6059    25720655362.2817.86178


2020-100
Soyuz-2.1b + Fregat
Vostochny Cosmodrome
2020 Dec 18, 12:26
OneWeb 0102
2020-100A
47258
in space
Broadband distribution satellite for the UK company OneWeb.

One of 36 similar satellites carried on this launch. Released from the Fregat stage of the launch vehicle in nine batches of four between 13:44 and 16:18 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 19, 04:0068230.0006    44144893.4787.40303
Fregat rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 18
Life <1 day
Launched cluster of 36 OneWeb satellites. Caused to re-enter above the south eastern Pacific Ocean around 17:36 UTC on the day of launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-101
Falcon 9 Block 5
Kennedy Space Center
2020 Dec 19, 14:00
USA 312
2019-101A
47294
in space
One of a simultaneously-launched pair of clandestine satellites for US National Reconnaissance Office - possibly remote sensing or signals interception. Location of launch vehicle disposal zone indicated that it was aimed at LEO near 52° inclination. Orbit parameters based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2021 Jan 12, 05:3869060.0004    52553195.2053.0013
2022 Apr 30, 01:0269010.0013    51453295.0852.9912
USA 313
2019-101B
47295
in space
One of a simultaneously-launched pair of clandestine satellites for US National Reconnaissance Office - possibly remote sensing or signals interception. Location of launch vehicle disposal zone indicated that it was aimed at LEO near 52° inclination. Orbit parameters based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2021 Jan 12, 05:3569060.0006    52453295.1953.00354
2022 Apr 30, 00:5869010.0012    51453195.0953.002
Falcon 9 upper stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 19
Life <1 day
Launched USA 312 and USA 313. Caused to re-enter above the eastern Pacific Ocean after releasing the satellites and about 70 minutes after lift-off.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


2020-102
CZ 8 (Y1)
Wenchang Space Centre
2020 Dec 22, 04:37
Yuanguang
2020-102A
47296
Re-entered - 2024 Jun 15
Life 1271 days
12U Cubesat (4x3) - materials science experiments satellite from SpaceTY Co Ltd. (Changsha).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 23, 12:1368880.0008    50451594.8297.44172
2023 Feb 13, 14:0568600.0006    47748694.2497.43326
HiSea 1
2020-102B
47297
Re-entered - 2024 Sep 5
Life 1353 days
6U Cubesat equipped with a synthetic aperture imaging radar from SpaceTY Co Ltd. (Changsha). To be used for ocean and coastal studies.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 23, 12:1368860.0007    50351394.7897.4315512:01
2023 Feb 13, 13:0368710.0005    48949694.4697.4331812:01
XJY 7
2020-102C
47298
in space
Technology verification satellite - possibly carrying a synthetic aperture radar for all-weather imaging. The LTDN around noon indicates that the satellite is not being used for optical imaging.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 23, 18:4268840.0004    50450994.7497.4314912:01
2020 Dec 26, 14:2468730.0001    49549694.5297.398212:01
2023 Feb 13, 13:1968670.0008    48349494.3897.3935512:01
Tianqi 8
2020-102D
47299
Re-entered - 2024 Jun 14
Life 1270 days
Small satellite providing messaging communication links from LEO including between Internet-connected items. Part of the planned 38 satellite Guodian Gaoke (Apocalypse) constellation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 23, 20:1368850.0006    50351194.7697.44137
2023 Feb 13, 14:1468580.0004    47748394.2197.43294
Zhixing 1 (ET-SMART-RSS)
2020-102E
47300
Re-entered - 2023 Oct 21
Life 1033 days
6U Cubesat - imaging satellite for remote sensing. Built by Beijing Smart Satellite Space Technology Co Ltd in co-operation with the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 23, 20:1368830.0006    50050994.7197.4410712:01
2023 Feb 13, 13:2368340.0004    45345993.7197.4324412:23
CZ 8 upper stage
2020-102F
47301
Re-entered - 2023 Mar 16
Life 814 days
Launched TJS 7 and four other satellites. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites. First launch of CZ 8.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 22, 14:5968350.0102    38752793.7397.44157


2020-103
CZ 4C
Jiuquan Space Centre
2020 Dec 27, 15:44
Yaogan 33-01
2020-103A
47302
in space
Described as being used for remote sensing for natural resources surveys. Specific tasks include land survey, crop yield assessment, and input to disaster monitoring and prevention plans. Equipped with synthetic aperture radar for Earth imaging provided by the Institute of Space and Space Information Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Mission is probably military or government.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 29, 01:4070640.0001    68568798.4898.2726122:00
2021 Jan 1, 16:5170740.0001    69669698.6998.2710122:00
2021 Jan 11, 05:3770740.0001    69569798.6998.2710822:00
2022 Jun 27, 03:2870740.0002    69569898.6998.212022:15
2022 Sep 3, 05:4870740.0003    69469898.6998.209922:16
2023 Feb 13, 09:0770740.0002    69469798.6898.191522:16
Technology Test Satellite
2020-103B
47303
in space
Small satellite, possibly a Cubesat, name and mission details awaited but China's launch announcement seemed to suggests its purpose is related to that of Yaogan 33 but it may be a technology test related to the upcoming Xuntian astronomy satellite that will orbit in formation with the Chinese Space Station. After a series of orbit manoeuvres by both satellites, they settled into formation 2021 Jan 14 with Yaogan 33 trailing by about 24 minutes (approx 0.25 Earth circuits).

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 28, 03:2770610.0001    68268398.4198.27290
2020 Dec 30, 20:2170660.0006    68369298.5298.27150
2021 Jan 4, 18:3870660.0006    68369298.5198.27138
2021 Jan 8, 04:4970710.0005    68969698.6298.27119
2021 Jan 11, 06:5270740.0001    69569798.6998.2798
2022 Jun 27, 02:5570730.0002    69469698.6798.2188
2023 Feb 13, 09:5470720.0004    69169698.6498.1971
CZ 4C third stage
2020-103C
47304
in space
Launched Yaogan 33 and secondary satellite. Perigee lowered after releasing satellites.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Dec 28, 14:1269790.0118    51868396.7098.3242


2020-104
Soyuz ST-A + Fregat-M (VS-25)
Centre Spatiale Guyanaise
2020 Dec 28, 16:42
CSO 2 (Composante Spatiale Optique 2)
2020-104A
47305
in space
Military/Government Earth high resolution imaging satellite for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE). Second in a constellation of three satellites to replace the Helios 2 series. Aimed at Sun-synchrous orbit co-planar with CSO 1 (43866/2018-106A) but 320 km lower. The first orbit listed is derived from a combination of information from Arianespace and unclassified information from Space-Track. Other orbits are based on amateur observation.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
Desc Node
Local Time
2020 Dec 29, 17:3968500.0002    47047394.0397.3620501:30
2021 Apr 10, 05:4868630.0002    48448694.3197.3633601:32
2022 May 2, 03:4268630.0002    48448694.3197.365301:33
Fregat-M rocket stage
uncatalogued
Re-entered - 2020 Dec 28
Life <1 day
Launched CSO 2. Caused to re-enter after releasing satellite, above Indian Ocean around 19:30 UTC on day of launch.
Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable


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