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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA C'''-2

Re-entered 11 Dec 1961

CORONA C'''-2 (NORAD 182, COSPAR 1961 OME 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Dec 1961, launched on 12 Sep 1961. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 144 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
144
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Sep 1961
Operational14 Sep 1961 · entered service
Retired14 Sep 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Dec 1961 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID182
COSPAR1961 OME 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA
Mass144 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude231 × 484 km
Inclination82.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA C'''-2?

CORONA C'''-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Dec 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'''-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA C'''-2 re-entered on 11 Dec 1961, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA C'''-2?

CORONA C'''-2 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by LMSC (US).

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