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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA CR-12

Re-entered 19 Aug 1970

CORONA CR-12 (NORAD 4477, COSPAR 1970-054A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 1970, launched on 23 Jul 1970 on the CORONA CR-12 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.

1970
launched
1970
re-entered
0
years on orbit
345
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Jul 1970 · on the CORONA CR-12 mission
Operational10 Aug 1970 · entered service
Retired10 Aug 1970 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Aug 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4477
COSPAR1970-054A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4B
Mass345 kg
ProgrammeCORONA CR
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude156 × 391 km
Inclination60.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA CR-12?

CORONA CR-12 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Aug 1970, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1970. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA CR-12 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA CR-12 re-entered on 19 Aug 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA CR-12?

CORONA CR-12 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.