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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA CR-15

Re-entered 5 Oct 1971

CORONA CR-15 (NORAD 5468, COSPAR 1971-076A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 1971, launched on 10 Sep 1971 on the CORONA CR-15 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.

1971
launched
1971
re-entered
0
years on orbit
345
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched10 Sep 1971 · on the CORONA CR-15 mission
Operational29 Sep 1971 · entered service
Retired29 Sep 1971 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Oct 1971 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID5468
COSPAR1971-076A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4B
Mass345 kg
ProgrammeCORONA CR
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude146 × 225 km
Inclination75.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA CR-15?

CORONA CR-15 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Oct 1971, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1971. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA CR-15 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA CR-15 re-entered on 5 Oct 1971, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA CR-15?

CORONA CR-15 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by LMSC (US).

Launched together

P-11 No. 4427Re-entered 1976
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.