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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA C'''-1

Re-entered 9 Sep 1961

CORONA C'''-1 (NORAD 181, COSPAR 1961 PSI) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Sep 1961, launched on 30 Aug 1961. It was operated by CIA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 146 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.

1961
launched
1961
re-entered
0
years on orbit
146
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Aug 1961
Operational1 Sep 1961 · entered service
Retired1 Sep 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered9 Sep 1961 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID181
COSPAR1961 PSI
TypeSatellite
OperatorCIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA
Mass146 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude138 × 511 km
Inclination82.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA C'''-1?

CORONA C'''-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 Sep 1961, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1961. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA C'''-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA C'''-1 re-entered on 9 Sep 1961, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA C'''-1?

CORONA C'''-1 was operated by CIA and built by LMSC (US).

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