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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA M-21

Re-entered 12 Jul 1963

CORONA M-21 (NORAD 590, COSPAR 1963-019A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Jul 1963, launched on 12 Jun 1963 on the CORONA M-21 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 468 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
0
years on orbit
468
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Jun 1963 · on the CORONA M-21 mission
Operational16 Jun 1963 · entered service
Retired16 Jun 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Jul 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID590
COSPAR1963-019A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4
Mass468 kg
ProgrammeCORONA M
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude181 × 405 km
Inclination81.8°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA M-21?

CORONA M-21 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Jul 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-21 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA M-21 re-entered on 12 Jul 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA M-21?

CORONA M-21 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.