# TRAILBLAZER

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111471784](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471784)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trailblazer-q111471784

## Summary
TRAILBLAZER (SCN 39400) was an artificial satellite launched on November 20, 2013. Identified by the COSPAR ID 2013-064W, it functioned as a human-made object in orbit before its mission concluded with atmospheric entry on May 22, 2016.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Artificial satellite (human-made object put into an orbit).
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 39400.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2013-064W.
- **Launch Date:** November 20, 2013.
- **Mission Status:** Former entity; the satellite underwent atmospheric entry on May 22, 2016.
- **Wikidata Entity ID:** Q122828940 (implied by reference structure).
- **Wolfram Language Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "39400"]`.
- **Naming:** Explicitly differentiated from the entity named "Trailblazer" (singular/abstract concept).

## FAQs
### Q: When was TRAILBLAZER launched?
A: TRAILBLAZER was launched on November 20, 2013.

### Q: What happened to the TRAILBLAZER satellite?
A: The satellite is classified as a "former entity" because it underwent atmospheric entry on May 22, 2016, ending its time in orbit.

### Q: How is TRAILBLAZER identified in satellite catalogs?
A: It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 2013-064W and cataloged by the US Space Command under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 39400.

## Why It Matters
TRAILBLAZER serves as a specific case study in orbital tracking and lifecycle management for artificial satellites. As an object launched in late 2013, it represents the continuous deployment of infrastructure into Earth's orbit. Its designation as a "former entity" following its atmospheric entry in May 2016 highlights the transient nature of low-earth orbit objects and the importance of tracking orbital debris and re-entry events. Precise tracking of such objects via identifiers like COSPAR and SCN allows scientific and defense communities to monitor orbital congestion and the environmental impact of space missions.

## Notable For
- **Precise Tracking:** Possession of a distinct COSPAR ID (2013-064W) and SCN (39400) allows for unambiguous identification in global space catalogs.
- **Complete Lifecycle Documentation:** The entity has recorded data for both its launch (2013) and its destruction via atmospheric entry (2016).
- **Classification:** It is formally classified as a "former entity" and an "artificial satellite" in linked data repositories.

## Body

### Classification and Identification
TRAILBLAZER is classified as an artificial satellite, defined as a human-made object put into an orbit. It is distinct from the general concept or other entities named "Trailblazer."

Technical identifiers for TRAILBLAZER include:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 39400
*   **COSPAR International Designator:** 2013-064W
*   **Wolfram Language Representation:** `Entity["Satellite", "39400"]`

### Mission Timeline
The operational history of TRAILBLAZER is defined by two key chronological markers derived from academic and Wikidata sources:

*   **Launch:** The satellite was successfully launched on **November 20, 2013**.
*   **Atmospheric Entry:** The satellite's orbital period concluded on **May 22, 2016**, when it underwent atmospheric entry. As a result, it is currently listed as a "former entity."

## References

1. SATCAT