CORONA QR-2R

Re-entered 11 Dec 1970

CORONA QR-2R (NORAD 4721, COSPAR 1970-098A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Dec 1970, launched on 18 Nov 1970 on the CORONA QR-2R 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

years on orbit

345

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Nov 1970 · on the CORONA QR-2R mission

Operational8 Dec 1970 · entered service

Retired8 Dec 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered11 Dec 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4721

COSPAR1970-098A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA KH-4B

Mass345 kg

ProgrammeCORONA CR

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude175 × 216 km

Inclination83.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA QR-2R?

CORONA QR-2R re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Dec 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 QR-2R re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA QR-2R re-entered on 11 Dec 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA QR-2R?

CORONA QR-2R was operated by NRO / CIA and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

P-11 No. 4423Re-entered 1977

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 QR-2R → What is space debris? →