Corona Spy Satellite Telemetry Tape
Corona Spy Satellite Telemetry Tape
- Verified Authentic
Item #290
The CORONA program was a secret CIA & US Air Force project that launched 144 reconnaissance spacecraft from 1959 to 1972. The dire pursuit of intel during the tense Cold War resulted in this ambitious space program that achieved many spaceflight firsts.
Photos had never been taken from space and the entire system, including lenses, mounting, mechanisms, and even the film, had to be specially designed for space.
With every pass over target areas, primarily the USSR and China, onboard cameras would snap a series of panoramic photographs on 70mm film. When passing over tracking stations, the satellite would transmit trajectory, velocity, and system status information which was recorded onto reels of magnetic tape like this.
At the end of each mission, the film capsule detached and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. Before it reached the surface, a parachute was deployed and a specially-equipped airplane would catch the gliding capsule in mid-air.
The CORONA program was declassified in 1996 and over 860,000 images made publicly accessible, the largest photographic catalog of Earth’s surface at the time. Researchers have recently used these images to locate ancient sites and study the effects of climate change.
The section of magnetic tape was used by the CIA to track a Corona Program satellite.
Details:
Artifact length: 3.5"
Frame dimensions: 5" x 5" x 0.75"
- Acrylic Display
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Individually Numbered
Matter Subscriber Price:
Shop collections containing this item:
Historic Artifacts
Household
In Stock
Matter Items
Newest Listings
Outer Space
Space Flight Artifacts
Space Legacy Artifact Collection
Stemcell Catalog
Storewide
Wholesale Artifacts
Wholesale Products
Collapsible content
Further Reading:
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED
We only list 100% verified authentic items. We work with reputable collectors, and regularly consult with our network of scientists and experts.
-
Free Shipping
Orders ≥$50 qualify for free US shipping
Orders ≥$100 qualify for free global shipping -
Secure Payments
Pay how you like: credit card, PayPal, After Pay, Shop Pay, Venmo, Apple/Google/Meta Pay & crypto
-
Simple Returns
Change your mind? No problem. Enjoy easy returns within 30 days.
Very unique and cool item, highly recommend this seller!
Nice item to display with all my other Corona artifacts. A tribute to my father and his contributions to the Corona Program.
This was an amazing gift and got non-stop thank you's for this. Definitely get it!
Super cool and very unusual
I love that you have recognized such an important part of our nations history. I have been looking for Corona items for years, and yours is a first. Beautiful presentation, including the box it comes in. Really happy with this product.
Zachary gave this item 5 stars