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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA J-26

Re-entered 20 Jan 1966

CORONA J-26 (NORAD 1866, COSPAR 1965-110A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jan 1966, launched on 24 Dec 1965 on the CORONA J-26 mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CORONA J programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA KH-4A bus, with a mass of 210 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.

1965
launched
1966
re-entered
1
year on orbit
210
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Dec 1965 · on the CORONA J-26 mission
Operational2 Jan 1966 · entered service
Retired2 Jan 1966 · end of operational service
Re-entered20 Jan 1966 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID1866
COSPAR1965-110A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4A
Mass210 kg
ProgrammeCORONA J
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude178 × 446 km
Inclination80.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA J-26?

CORONA J-26 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 20 Jan 1966, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1965. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA J-26 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA J-26 re-entered on 20 Jan 1966, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA J-26?

CORONA J-26 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.