BULL Confirms HORN-L Reentered Atmosphere 76 Days After H3 Launch
BULL verified the full sequence, from launch to atmospheric reentry, of a membrane-deployment-type disposal device using both orbital data and images, the package a PMD device needs to be judged against a comparison satellite that held its altitude.
Reporting from 1 source: ASCII.jp.
BULL reported that HORN-L, the demonstration unit of its HORN post-mission disposal device, launched on H3 Rocket No. 6 on June 12, 2026, reentered Earth's atmosphere on August 27, 2026 (UTC), about two and a half months after launch. On August 23, 2026, four days before reentry, the company captured orbital imaging showing the fan-shaped membrane still deployed.
The last orbital data before reentry, from August 26 (UTC), put HORN-L at a semi-major axis altitude of roughly 316 km and a perigee altitude of about 288 km. The comparison satellite VERTECS held near its initial altitude of about 560 km, while HORN-L lost altitude from the moment its membrane deployed, with drag rising as the orbit dropped.
The imaging on August 23 came from a satellite operated by HEO, which provides orbital imaging services. From that image, taken at an apogee of about 406 km and a perigee of about 384 km, BULL confirmed the fan-shaped membrane kept its designed deployment without rupture or major deformation. HEO's analysis also assessed the boom as deployed from the satellite bus.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.