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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA J-2

Re-entered 12 Oct 1963

CORONA J-2 (NORAD 668, COSPAR 1963-037A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Oct 1963, launched on 23 Sep 1963 on the CORONA J-2 mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the CORONA J programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the CORONA KH-4A bus, with a mass of 223 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
223
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Sep 1963 · on the CORONA J-2 mission
Operational4 Oct 1963 · entered service
Retired4 Oct 1963 · end of operational service
Re-entered12 Oct 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID668
COSPAR1963-037A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4A
Mass223 kg
ProgrammeCORONA J
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude177 × 370 km
Inclination75.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA J-2?

CORONA J-2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Oct 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 J-2 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA J-2 re-entered on 12 Oct 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA J-2?

CORONA J-2 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.