Airborne Systems

Corona was a US military reconnaissance satellite system operated by the CIA Directorate of Science & Technology and the US Air Force; it was used for photographic surveillance of the Soviet Union, China and other areas from June 1959 until May 1972. There were 144 Corona satellites launched, of which 102 returned usable imagery.

ASNA provided the recovery systems for the film canisters which were recovered via mid-air retrieval. The Project Corona EDLS consisted of a drogue and main parachute. Recovery of the capsule was completed using USAF C-119 aircraft and first generation Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR).