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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA CR-8R

Re-entered 4 Jun 1972

CORONA CR-8R (NORAD 6037, COSPAR 1972-039A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jun 1972, launched on 25 May 1972 on the CORONA CR-8R 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.

1972
launched
1972
re-entered
0
years on orbit
345
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 May 1972 · on the CORONA CR-8R mission
Operational3 Jun 1972 · entered service
Retired3 Jun 1972 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jun 1972 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID6037
COSPAR1972-039A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4B
Mass345 kg
ProgrammeCORONA CR
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude157 × 315 km
Inclination96.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA CR-8R?

CORONA CR-8R re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jun 1972, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1972. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA CR-8R re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA CR-8R re-entered on 4 Jun 1972, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA CR-8R?

CORONA CR-8R 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.