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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CRYSTAL 6?

Re-entered 20 Oct 1994

CRYSTAL 6? (NORAD 15423, COSPAR 1984-122A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Oct 1994, launched on 4 Dec 1984 on the KH11-6 KENNAN mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CRYSTAL 2 programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the KH-11 bus, with a mass of 8,556 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1984
launched
1994
re-entered
10
years on orbit
8,556
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched4 Dec 1984 · on the KH11-6 KENNAN mission
Operational1 Jan 1991 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1991 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Oct 1994 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID15423
COSPAR1984-122A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusKH-11
Mass8,556 kg
ProgrammeCRYSTAL 2
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude330 × 922 km
Inclination98.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CRYSTAL 6??

CRYSTAL 6? re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Oct 1994, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1984. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CRYSTAL 6? re-enter the atmosphere?

CRYSTAL 6? re-entered on 20 Oct 1994, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CRYSTAL 6??

CRYSTAL 6? was operated by NRO / CIA and built by TRW (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.