CORONA M-15

Re-entered 13 Dec 1962

CORONA M-15 (NORAD 481, COSPAR 1962 B RHO) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Dec 1962, launched on 24 Nov 1962. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CORONA M programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA KH-4 bus, with a mass of 236 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

236

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched24 Nov 1962

Operational29 Nov 1962 · entered service

Retired29 Nov 1962 · end of operational service

Re-entered13 Dec 1962 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID481

COSPAR1962 B RHO

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA KH-4

Mass236 kg

ProgrammeCORONA M

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude206 × 317 km

Inclination65.1°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA M-15?

CORONA M-15 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 Dec 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 CORONA M-15 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA M-15 re-entered on 13 Dec 1962, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA M-15?

CORONA M-15 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.

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