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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA RM-1

Re-entered 23 Jan 1961

CORONA RM-1 (NORAD 68, COSPAR 1960 TAU) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Jan 1961, launched on 20 Dec 1960. It was operated by AFBMD / ARPA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSD on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 216 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
1961
re-entered
1
year on orbit
216
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Dec 1960
Operational25 Dec 1960 · entered service
Retired25 Dec 1960 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Jan 1961 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID68
COSPAR1960 TAU
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFBMD / ARPA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSD
BusCORONA
Mass216 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude206 × 578 km
Inclination83.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA RM-1?

CORONA RM-1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Jan 1961, 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 RM-1 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA RM-1 re-entered on 23 Jan 1961, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA RM-1?

CORONA RM-1 was operated by AFBMD / ARPA and built by LMSD (US).

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