Re-Entry: Aolong-1 Space Debris Removal Demonstrator

China’s Aolong-1 space debris mitigation demonstrator re-entered the atmosphere on August 27, 2016 after two months in orbit, completing a short-duration demo mission. Aolong-1, previously known as ADRV, was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to demonstrate the removal of simulated space debris by capturing an object and sending it on a re-entry trajectory. According to reports, the satellite used a robotic arm to grapple virtual targets and essentially throw then back into the atmosphere.

NORAD ID: 41629
Origin: China
Type: LEO SmallSats
Inclination: 40.8°
Launched: June 25, 2016 – 12:00 UTC
Launch Vehicle: Long March 7
Launch Site: Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Hainan, China

Re-Entry Prediction: August 27, 2016 – 17:29 UTC +/- 1 Minute
Re-Entry Zone: Atlantic Ocean

Re-Entry Zone