CORONA J-44

Re-entered 23 May 1969

CORONA J-44 (NORAD 3914, COSPAR 1969-041A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 May 1969, launched on 2 May 1969 on the CORONA J-44 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.

1969

launched

1969

re-entered

years on orbit

210

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched2 May 1969 · on the CORONA J-44 mission

Operational18 May 1969 · entered service

Retired18 May 1969 · end of operational service

Re-entered23 May 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3914

COSPAR1969-041A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA KH-4A

Mass210 kg

ProgrammeCORONA J-2

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude175 × 325 km

Inclination65.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA J-44?

CORONA J-44 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 May 1969, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1969. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA J-44 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA J-44 re-entered on 23 May 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA J-44?

CORONA J-44 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

P-11 No. 4417Re-entered 1970

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 → Launch record: CORONA J-44 → What is space debris? →