HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesARGON 10
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

ARGON 10

Re-entered 26 Oct 1964

ARGON 10 (NORAD 385, COSPAR 1962 A UPS) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 1964, launched on 1 Sep 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 144 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
1964
re-entered
2
years on orbit
144
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched1 Sep 1962
Operational6 Sep 1962 · entered service
Retired6 Sep 1962 · end of operational service
Re-entered26 Oct 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID385
COSPAR1962 A UPS
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / ACE
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA ARGON
Mass144 kg
ProgrammeCORONA ARGON
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude288 × 670 km
Inclination82.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ARGON 10?

ARGON 10 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Oct 1964, 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 10 re-enter the atmosphere?

ARGON 10 re-entered on 26 Oct 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ARGON 10?

ARGON 10 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.