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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA C-5

Re-entered 8 Mar 1960

CORONA C-5 (NORAD 25, COSPAR 1959 LAM) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Mar 1960, launched on 20 Nov 1959. It was operated by CIA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSD on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 157 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.

1959
launched
1960
re-entered
1
year on orbit
157
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Nov 1959
Operational21 Nov 1959 · entered service
Retired21 Nov 1959 · end of operational service
Re-entered8 Mar 1960 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25
COSPAR1959 LAM
TypeSatellite
OperatorCIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSD
BusCORONA
Mass157 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude184 × 1,394 km
Inclination80.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA C-5?

CORONA C-5 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Mar 1960, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1959. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA C-5 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA C-5 re-entered on 8 Mar 1960, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA C-5?

CORONA C-5 was operated by CIA and built by LMSD (US).

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