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This silver-zinc battery, made by General Electric, was the only power source for the Corona satellite's film return capsule. It provided power to fire spin and despin rockets, deploy the parachute, and operate a RF tracking beacon and flashing strobe light to help in recovery of the capsule. Corona was a highly-classified joint Air Force/Central Intelligence Agency program that successfully launched over 120 photoreconnaissance satellites from 1960-1972. This battery, actually flown on at least one mission, was donated by Robert Andrews to NASM in 1998.

 Display Status

This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Electrical Power Manufacturer General Electric, Missile & Space Division
 Dimensions 3-D: 22.9 x 12.1 x 8.9cm (9 x 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 in.)
 Materials Overall - stainless steel, silver, zinc, lead
 Inventory Number A19980278000 Credit Line Gift of Robert Andrews. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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