CORONA M-25

Re-entered 15 Dec 1963

CORONA M-25 (NORAD 695, COSPAR 1963-048A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Dec 1963, launched on 27 Nov 1963 on the CORONA M-25 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 285 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

years on orbit

285

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched27 Nov 1963 · on the CORONA M-25 mission

Operational2 Dec 1963 · entered service

Retired2 Dec 1963 · end of operational service

Re-entered15 Dec 1963 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID695

COSPAR1963-048A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSC

BusCORONA KH-4

Mass285 kg

ProgrammeCORONA M

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude178 × 349 km

Inclination69.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA M-25?

CORONA M-25 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 15 Dec 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-25 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA M-25 re-entered on 15 Dec 1963, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA M-25?

CORONA M-25 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.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: CORONA M-25 → What is space debris? →