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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA C'-9

Re-entered 7 Dec 1962

CORONA C'-9 (NORAD 197, COSPAR 1961 A EPS 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 1962, launched on 5 Nov 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 133 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
1962
re-entered
1
year on orbit
133
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Nov 1961
Operational10 Nov 1961 · entered service
Retired10 Nov 1961 · end of operational service
Re-entered7 Dec 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID197
COSPAR1961 A EPS 1
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA
Mass133 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude225 × 971 km
Inclination82.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA C'-9?

CORONA C'-9 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 7 Dec 1962, 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'-9 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA C'-9 re-entered on 7 Dec 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA C'-9?

CORONA C'-9 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.