Re-Entry: China’s AX-1 SmallSat

Patrick Blau 2992 Views
Photo: XInhua
Photo: XInhua

The Chinese AX-1 satellite re-entered the atmosphere on September 29,  concluding a three-month mission to test out innovative navigation technology.

The Star of Aoxiang was the first ever 12U CubeSat to be launched, measuring 20 x 20 x 30 centimeters in size and hosting an experimental payload testing polarization-sensitive optical navigation outside the atmosphere.

NORAD ID: 41625
Origin: China
Type: LEO SmallSat
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: September 29, 2016 – 21:30 UTC +/-120 Minutes
Re-Entry Location: Unknown

Re-Entry Orbits
Image: Spaceflight101/Orbitron
Image: Spaceflight101/Orbitron
China Long March Long March 7 Military Space News Re-Entry