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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA J-12

Re-entered 1 Sep 1964

CORONA J-12 (NORAD 846, COSPAR 1964-043A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Sep 1964, launched on 5 Aug 1964 on the CORONA J-12 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 266 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.

1964
launched
1964
re-entered
0
years on orbit
266
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched5 Aug 1964 · on the CORONA J-12 mission
Operational14 Aug 1964 · entered service
Retired14 Aug 1964 · end of operational service
Re-entered1 Sep 1964 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID846
COSPAR1964-043A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusCORONA KH-4A
Mass266 kg
ProgrammeCORONA J
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude179 × 422 km
Inclination80.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA J-12?

CORONA J-12 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 1 Sep 1964, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1964. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA J-12 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA J-12 re-entered on 1 Sep 1964, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA J-12?

CORONA J-12 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.