ARGON 5

Re-entered 26 Nov 1963

ARGON 5 (NORAD 292, COSPAR 1962 SIG 1) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Nov 1963, launched on 15 May 1962. It was operated by NRO / ACE as part of the CORONA ARGON programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA ARGON bus, with a mass of 162 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.

1962

launched

1963

re-entered

year on orbit

162

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched15 May 1962

Operational19 May 1962 · entered service

Retired19 May 1962 · end of operational service

Re-entered26 Nov 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID292

COSPAR1962 SIG 1

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / ACE

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA ARGON

Mass162 kg

ProgrammeCORONA ARGON

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude284 × 632 km

Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ARGON 5?

ARGON 5 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Nov 1963, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1962. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did ARGON 5 re-enter the atmosphere?

ARGON 5 re-entered on 26 Nov 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ARGON 5?

ARGON 5 was operated by NRO / ACE and built by LMSC (US).

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

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → What is space debris? →