CORONA M-18

Re-entered 24 Jan 1963

CORONA M-18 (NORAD 525, COSPAR 1963-002A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Jan 1963, launched on 7 Jan 1963 on the CORONA M-18 mission. 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 209 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.

1963

launched

1963

re-entered

years on orbit

209

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched7 Jan 1963 · on the CORONA M-18 mission

Operational11 Jan 1963 · entered service

Retired11 Jan 1963 · end of operational service

Re-entered24 Jan 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID525

COSPAR1963-002A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA KH-4

Mass209 kg

ProgrammeCORONA M

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude178 × 312 km

Inclination82.2°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA M-18?

CORONA M-18 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 24 Jan 1963, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1963. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA M-18 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA M-18 re-entered on 24 Jan 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA M-18?

CORONA M-18 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.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: CORONA M-18 → What is space debris? →