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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA CR-4

Re-entered 27 Aug 1968

CORONA CR-4 (NORAD 3336, COSPAR 1968-065A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Aug 1968, launched on 7 Aug 1968 on the CORONA CR-4 mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CORONA CR programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA KH-4B bus, with a mass of 345 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.

1968
launched
1968
re-entered
0
years on orbit
345
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Aug 1968 · on the CORONA CR-4 mission
Operational22 Aug 1968 · entered service
Retired22 Aug 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered27 Aug 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3336
COSPAR1968-065A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4B
Mass345 kg
ProgrammeCORONA CR
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude151 × 252 km
Inclination82.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA CR-4?

CORONA CR-4 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Aug 1968, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1968. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA CR-4 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA CR-4 re-entered on 27 Aug 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA CR-4?

CORONA CR-4 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.