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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA J-50

Re-entered 28 Dec 1968

CORONA J-50 (NORAD 3604, COSPAR 1968-112A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Dec 1968, launched on 12 Dec 1968 on the CORONA J-50 mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CORONA J-2 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.

1968
launched
1968
re-entered
0
years on orbit
210
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Dec 1968 · on the CORONA J-50 mission
Operational23 Dec 1968 · entered service
Retired23 Dec 1968 · end of operational service
Re-entered28 Dec 1968 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3604
COSPAR1968-112A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4A
Mass210 kg
ProgrammeCORONA J-2
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude178 × 237 km
Inclination81.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA J-50?

CORONA J-50 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 28 Dec 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 J-50 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA J-50 re-entered on 28 Dec 1968, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA J-50?

CORONA J-50 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

P801-1NORAD 3605
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.