ARGON 9

Re-entered 16 Nov 1962

ARGON 9 (NORAD 436, COSPAR 1962 B EPS) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Nov 1962, launched on 9 Oct 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 137 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

1962

re-entered

years on orbit

137

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched9 Oct 1962

Operational14 Oct 1962 · entered service

Retired14 Oct 1962 · end of operational service

Re-entered16 Nov 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID436

COSPAR1962 B EPS

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / ACE

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA ARGON

Mass137 kg

ProgrammeCORONA ARGON

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude216 × 401 km

Inclination82.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to ARGON 9?

ARGON 9 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 16 Nov 1962, 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 9 re-enter the atmosphere?

ARGON 9 re-entered on 16 Nov 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built ARGON 9?

ARGON 9 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.

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