Re-Entry: Antares Upper Stage

November 7, 2016November 8, 2016 Patrick Blau 3566 Views Cygnus OA-5, Wallops

Castor 30 - Photo: Orbital ATK — Castor 30 – Photo: Orbital ATK

The Castor 30XL Upper Stage of the inaugural mission of the Antares 230 launch vehicle re-entered the atmosphere on November 6, 2016 after only three weeks in orbit following the successful launch of the Cygnus OA-5 cargo craft to resupply the International Space Station. It was the first Castor 30XL solid-fueled upper stage to reach orbit and delivered a flawless performance during flight, actually sending Cygnus into a slightly higher orbit than predicted.

NORAD ID: 41819
Origin: USA
Object: Antares R/B
Type: Castor 30XL Upper Stage
Mass: ~2,100kg
Launched: October 17, 2016 – 23:45 UTC
Launch Vehicle: Antares 230
Launch Site: Pad 0A, MARS; Wallops Flight Facility

Initial Orbit: 214 x 360 km, 51.6°

Re-Entry Prediction: November 6, 2016 – 18:53 UTC +/-2 Min.
Re-Entry Zone: Pacific Ocean

Re-Entry Zone