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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA C'-2

Re-entered 29 Dec 1960

CORONA C'-2 (NORAD 61, COSPAR 1960 OMI) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Dec 1960, launched on 12 Nov 1960. It was operated by AFBMD / CIA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSD on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 127 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.

1960
launched
1960
re-entered
0
years on orbit
127
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched12 Nov 1960
Operational14 Nov 1960 · entered service
Retired14 Nov 1960 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Dec 1960 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID61
COSPAR1960 OMI
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFBMD / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSD
BusCORONA
Mass127 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude182 × 923 km
Inclination81.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA C'-2?

CORONA C'-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Dec 1960, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1960. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA C'-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA C'-2 re-entered on 29 Dec 1960, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA C'-2?

CORONA C'-2 was operated by AFBMD / CIA and built by LMSD (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.