TA Thor Agena D

This page no longer updated from 31 October 2001. Latest version can be found at www.astronautix.com

TA Thor Agena D

Thor TAT/Agena - Thor Augmented Thrust / Agena

Credit: US Air Force. 25,878 bytes. 356 x 428 pixels.

Family: Delta. Country: USA. Status: Hardware. Other Designations: Thrust Augmented Thor. Department of Defence Designation: SLV-2C. Manufacturer's Designation: DSV-2C.

Thor Agena upgraded with addition of three Castor 1 strap-on motors.

Specifications

Launches: 60. Failures: 4. Success Rate: 93.33% pct. First Launch Date: 28 February 1963. Last Launch Date: 17 January 1968. Liftoff Thrust: 160,200 kgf. Total Mass: 67,819 kg. Core Diameter: 2.4 m. Total Length: 31.0 m. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 19.56 million. in 1985 unit dollars.

Stage Number: 0. 3 x Castor 1 Gross Mass: 3,852 kg. Empty Mass: 535 kg. Thrust (vac): 29,164 kgf. Isp: 247 sec. Burn time: 27 sec. Isp(sl): 232 sec. Diameter: 0.8 m. Span: 0.8 m. Length: 5.9 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. M33-20-4
Stage Number: 1. 1 x Delta Thor TA Gross Mass: 49,442 kg. Empty Mass: 3,175 kg. Thrust (vac): 88,380 kgf. Isp: 290 sec. Burn time: 150 sec. Isp(sl): 256 sec. Diameter: 2.4 m. Span: 2.4 m. Length: 18.4 m. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene No Engines: 1. MB-3-3
Stage Number: 2. 1 x Agena D Gross Mass: 6,821 kg. Empty Mass: 673 kg. Thrust (vac): 7,257 kgf. Isp: 300 sec. Burn time: 265 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 1.5 m. Span: 1.5 m. Length: 7.1 m. Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH No Engines: 1. Bell 8096

TA Thor Agena D Chronology

1963 Feb 28 - - 21:48 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 354 / Agena D s/n 1159 (No solids). Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5. FAILURE: Destroyed by range safety officer, 100 seconds after launch. One strap-on failed.

KH-4 9052 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9052. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4. Mission failed.
SRV 610 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Mar 18 - - 21:13 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 360 / Agena D s/n 1164 (No solids). Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4. FAILURE: Launch failure.

P-11 No. 1 Spacecraft: SSF. Payload: P-11 No. 1. Mass: 80 kg.
Ferret subsatellite aboard first launch of KH-6. Mission failed.
P-11 Spacecraft: P 11. Payload: P-11.
KH-6 8001 Spacecraft: KH-6. Payload: KH-6 s/n 8001. Mass: 1,500 kg.
First launch of KH-6. Mission failed.

1963 May 18 - - 22:21 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 364 / Agena D s/n 1165. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-6 8002 Spacecraft: KH-6. Payload: KH-6 s/n 8002 / Agena D 1165. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-6. Second launch of KH-6. Operation was successful but no film was used. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
SRV 613 Spacecraft: KH-6.
SRV 616 Spacecraft: KH-6.

1963 Jun 12 - - 23:58 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 362 / Agena D s/n 1161. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4 9054 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9054 / Agena D 1161. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4. Some imagery seriously affected by corona.

1963 Jun 27 - - 00:37 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 381 / Agena D s/n 1166. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

Hitch Hiker 1 Spacecraft: SSF. Payload: P-11 No. 2. Mass: 80 kg.
Radiation data. First successful flight of P-11 bus, mainly used for radar signals intelligence gathering.
KH-4 9056 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9056 / Agena D 1166. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4. Experimental camera carried. Film affected by light leaks.
SRV 611 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Jul 31 - - 00:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 382 / Agena D s/n 1167. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH 4A-07 Spacecraft: KH-6. Payload: KH-6 s/n 8003 / Agena D 1167. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-6. Third and final KH-6 mission (LANYARD). Mission was successful but image quality was poor. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
SRV 614 Spacecraft: KH-6.

1963 Aug 25 - - 00:30 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 377 / Agena D s/n 1162. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1001 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1001 / Agena D 1162. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. First mission of KH-4A. Some film was fogged. Two buckets but 1001-2 was never recovered.
SRV 617 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1001-2.
TA Thor Agena D - TA Thor Agena D -1963-02-28
10,449 bytes. 84 x 453 pixels.
SRV 615 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1001-1.

1963 Sep 23 - - 23:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 383 / Agena D s/n 1163. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-4A 1002 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1002 / Agena D 1163. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Severe light leaks, 1002-2 never recovered, indefinite postponement of KH-4A series.
SRV 620 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1002-2.
SRV 619 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1002-1.

1963 Oct 29 - - 21:19 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 386 / Agena D s/n 1601. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-5 9059A Spacecraft: KH-5. Payload: KH-5 s/n 9059A/Agena D 1601. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-5; deployed ELINT subsatellite. Fourth film payload retrieved in ARGON program. Film comparable to that of 9058A. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Hitch Hiker 2 Spacecraft: SSF. Payload: P-11 s/n A3. Mass: 80 kg.
Radar monitoring.
SRV 602 Spacecraft: KH-5.

1963 Dec 21 - - 21:45 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 398 / Agena D s/n 1168. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-4 9062 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9062 / Agena D 1168. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4; deployed ELINT subsatellite. Corona static fogged much of film.
Hitch Hiker 3 Spacecraft: SSF. Payload: P-11 s/n A4. Mass: 80 kg.
Radar monitoring.
SRV 642 Spacecraft: KH-4.
P-11 motor Spacecraft: KH-4.

1964 Feb 15 - - 21:38 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 389 / Agena D s/n 1174. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1004 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1004 / Agena D 1174. Mass: 1,590 kg.
KH-4A. Main cameras operated satisfactorily. Minor degradations due to static and light leaks.
SRV 628 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1004-2.
SRV 629 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1004-1.

1964 Feb 28 - - 03:20 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 402 / Agena D s/n 2316. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

OPS 3722 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 5 / Agena D 2316. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1964 Mar 24 - - 22:22 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 396 / Agena D s/n 1175. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC1-1. FAILURE: Failure.

SRV 630 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1003-2.
SRV 631 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1003-1.
KH-4A 1003 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1003. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Mission failed.
ORBIS 1 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: ORBIS 1.

1964 Apr 27 - - 23:23 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 395 / Agena D s/n 1604. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1005 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1005 / Agena D 1604. Mass: 1,500 kg.
TA Thor Agena D - TA Thor Agena D - COSPAR 1967-029
10,821 bytes. 93 x 427 pixels.
KH-4A. Mission failed. Recovery vehicle impacted in Venezuela.
SRV 635 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1005-2.
SRV 618 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1005-1.

1964 Jun 4 - - 22:59 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 403 / Agena D s/n 1176. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC1-1.

KH-4A 1006 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1006 / Agena D 1176. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Highest quality imagery attained to date from the KH-4 system.
SRV 639 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1006-2.
SRV 638 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1006-1.

1964 Jun 13 - - 15:47 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 408 / Agena D s/n 1606. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-5 9065A Spacecraft: KH-5. Payload: KH-5 s/n 9065A. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-5; carried Star Flash experiment. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Starflash 1A Spacecraft: Starflash.
SRV 661 Spacecraft: KH-5.

1964 Jun 19 - - 23:18 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 410 / Agena D s/n 1609. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

KH-4A 1007 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1007 / Agena D 1609. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Out-of-focus area on some film.
SRV 633 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1007-2.
SRV 634 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1007-1.

1964 Jul 2 - - 23:59 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 409 / Agena D s/n 2315. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

OPS 3395 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 6 / Agena D 2315. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1964 Jul 10 - - 23:15 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 404 / Agena D s/n 1177. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC1-1.

KH-4A 1008 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1008 / Agena D 1117. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Cameras operated satisfactorily, some light leaks.
SRV 641 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1008-2.
SRV 640 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1008-1.

1964 Aug 5 - - 23:15 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 413 / Agena D s/n 1605. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1009 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1009 / Agena D 1605. Mass: 1,540 kg.
KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully.
SRV 646 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1009-1.
SRV 647 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1009-2.

1964 Aug 21 - - 15:45 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 412 / Agena D s/n 1603. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-5 9066A Spacecraft: KH-5. Payload: KH-5 s/n 9066A / Agena D 1603. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-5. 15% of stellar film degraded by flare. Image smearing on leading edge of main camera film. Final ARGON mission. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
TA Thor Agena D - TA Thor Agena D - COSPAR 1964-061
11,977 bytes. 106 x 452 pixels.
SRV 667 Spacecraft: KH-5.
Starflash 1B Spacecraft: Starflash.

1964 Sep 14 - - 22:53 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 405 / Agena D s/n 1178. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1010 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1010 / Agena D 1178. Mass: 1,330 kg.
KH-4A. Small out of focus areas on both cameras at random times throughout the mission.
SRV 644 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1010-1.
SRV 652 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1010-2.

1964 Oct 5 - - 21:50 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 421 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1170. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1011 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1011 / Agena D 1170. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Primary mode of recovery failed on second portion of the mission (1011-2). Small out of focus areas present at random on both cameras.
SRV 654 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1011-2.
SRV 653 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1011-1.

1964 Oct 17 - - 22:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 418 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1179. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1012 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1012 / Agena D 1179. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Vehicle attitude became erratic on the second portion of the mission necessitating an early recovery.
SRV 645 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1012-2.
SRV 651 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1012-1.

1964 Nov 2 - - 21:30 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 420 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1173. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1013 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1013 - Agena D 1173. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Program anomaly occurred immediately after launch when both cameras operated for 417 frames. Main cameras ceased operation on rev 52D of first portion of mission negating second portion. About 65% of aft camera film is out of focus.
SRV 657 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1013-2.
SRV 656 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1013-1.

1964 Nov 4 - - 02:12 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 430 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 2317. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

OPS 3062 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 7 / Agena D 2317. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1964 Nov 18 - - 20:35 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 416 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1180. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

KH-4A 1014 (ORBIS) Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1014 & Orbis / Agena D 1180. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully.
ORBIS Spacecraft: KH-4A.
SRV 660 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1014-2.
SRV 659 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1014-1.

1964 Dec 19 - - 21:10 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 424 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1607. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1015 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1015 / Agena D 1607. Mass: 1,500 kg.
TA Thor Agena D - TA Thor Agena D - COSPAR 1963-034
8,452 bytes. 84 x 432 pixels.
KH-4A. Discrepancies in planned and actual coverage due to telemetry problems during the first 6 revolutions. Small out-of-focus areas on film from aft camera.
SRV 663 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1015-2.
SRV 662 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1015-1.

1964 Dec 21 - - 19:08 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 425 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 2355. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

OPS 3762/Agena D 2355 Spacecraft: Ferret.
Unknown mission. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 Jan 15 - - 21:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 414 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1608. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4A 1016 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1016 / Agena D 1608. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Smearing of highly reflective images due to reflections within camera.
SRV 666 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1016-2.
SRV 665 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1016-1.

1965 Feb 25 - - 21:44 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 432 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1611. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1017 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1017 / Agena D 1611. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Capping shutter malfunction occurred during last 5 passes of mission.
SRV 623 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1017-1.
SRV 625 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1017-2.

1965 Mar 25 - - 21:11 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 429 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1612. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1018 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1018 / Agena D 1612. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully. First KH-4A reconnaissance system to be launched into a retrograde orbit.
SRV 669 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1018-2.
SRV 668 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1018-1.

1965 Apr 29 - - 21:44 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 437 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1614. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1019 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1019 / Agena D 1614. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully. Malfunction in recovery mode on 1019-2 negated recovery.
SRV 627 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1019-2. Mass: 60 kg.
Cameras operated successfully. Malfunction in recovery mode on 1019-2 negated recovery.
SRV 626 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1019-1.

1965 May 18 - - 18:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 438 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1615. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1021 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1021 / Agena D 1615. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Aft camera ceased operation on pass 102.
SRV 674 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1021-1.
SRV 670 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1021-2.

1965 Jun 9 - - 21:58 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 444 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1613. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4A 1020 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1020 / Agena D 1613. Mass: 1,500 kg.
TA Thor Agena D - TA Thor Agena D - COSPAR 1964-001
10,709 bytes. 91 x 444 pixels.
KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily. Erratic attitude caused an early recovery after the second day of 1020-2.
SRV 672 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1020-1.
SRV 673 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1020-2.

1965 Jul 17 - - 05:55 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 422 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 2702. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

OPS 8411 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 8 / Agena D 2702. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1965 Jul 19 - - 22:01 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 446 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1617. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1022 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1022 / Agena D 1617. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 664 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1022-1.
SRV 658 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1022-2.

1965 Aug 17 - - 20:59 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 449 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1618. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1023 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1023 / Agena D 1618. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Program anomaly caused the fore camera to cease operation during revolutions 103-132.
SRV 621 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1023-1.
SRV 649 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1023-2.

1965 Sep 22 - - 21:31 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 458 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1619. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 102 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 102 / Agena D 1619. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily. Cameras not operated on passes 88D-93D.
SRV 643 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1024-2.
SRV 622 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1024-1.

1965 Oct 5 - - 17:45 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 433 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1616. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4A 1025 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1025 / Agena D 1616. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Main cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 650 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1025-1.
SRV 636 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1025-2.

1965 Oct 14 - - 13:11 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 435 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 6801 (TA4). Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

OGO 2 Spacecraft: OGO. Payload: OGO C (S-50). Mass: 507 kg.
OGO 2 was a large observatory instrumented with 20 experiments designed to make simultaneous, correlative observations of aurora and airglow emissions, energetic particles, magnetic field variations, ionospheric properties, etc., especially over the polar areas. Soon after achieving orbit, difficulties in maintaining earth lock with horizon scanners caused exhaustion of attitude control gas by October 23, 1965, 10 days after launch. At this time, the spacecraft entered a spin mode (about 0.11 rpm) with a large coning angle about the previously vertical axis. Five experiments became useless when the satellite went into this spin mode. Six additional experiments were degraded by this loss of attitude control. By April 1966, both batteries had failed, so subsequent observations were limited to sunlit portions of the orbit. By December 1966, only eight experiments were operational, five of which were not degraded by the spin mode operation. By April 1967, the tape recorders had malfunctioned and only one third of the recorded data could be processed. Spacecraft power and periods of operational scheduling conflicts created six large data gaps so that data were observed on a total of about 306 days of the 2-yr, 18-day total span of observed satellite data to November 1, 1967. The spacecraft was shut down on November 1, 1967, with eight experiments still operational. It was reactivated for 2 weeks in February 1968 to operate the rubidium vapor magnetometer experiment.

1965 Oct 28 - - 21:17 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 439 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1620. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1026 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1026 / Agena D 1620. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 701 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1026-1.
SRV 702 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1026-2.

1965 Dec 9 - - 21:10 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 448 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1621. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4A 1027 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1027 / Agena D 1621. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Erratic attitude necessitated recovery after two days of operation. All cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 648 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1027-1.
SRV 655 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1027-2.

1965 Dec 24 - - 21:06 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 451 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1610. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1028 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1028 / Agena D 1610. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 704 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1028-2.
SRV 703 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1028-1.

1966 Feb 2 - - 21:32 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 450 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1623. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1029 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1029 / Agena D 1623. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Both panoramic cameras were operational throughout.
SRV 706 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1029-2.
SRV 705 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1029-1.

1966 Feb 9 - - 19:45 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 428 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 2703. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

OPS 1439 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 9 / Agena D 2703. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1966 Mar 9 - - 22:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 452 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1622. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

KH-4A 1030 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1030 / Agena D 1622. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 710 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1030-2.
SRV 709 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1030-1.

1966 Apr 7 - - 22:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 474 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1627. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1031 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1031 / Agena D 1627. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. The aft-looking camera malfunctioned after the recovery of bucket '1'. No material was received in bucket '2' (1031-2).
SRV 711 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1031-1.
SRV 712 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1031-2.

1966 May 3 - - 19:25 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 465 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1625. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5. FAILURE: Agena-D failed. Failure.

KH-4A 1032 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1032. Mass: 1,500 kg.
SRV 708 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1032-2.
SRV 707 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1032-1.

1966 May 24 - - 02:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 469 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1630. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: PALC1-1.

KH-4A 1033 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1033 / Agena D 1630. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. The stellar camera shutter of bucket '2' remained open for approximately 200 frames.
SRV 718 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1033-2.
SRV 717 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1033-1.

1966 Jun 21 - - 21:31 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 466 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1626. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4A 1034 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1034 / Agena D 1626. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Failure of velocity/altitude programmer produced poor imagery after revolution 5.
SRV 713 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1034-1.
SRV 714 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1034-2.

1966 Jun 24 - - 00:12 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 473 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 6311 (TA7). Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

Pageos 1 Spacecraft: Pageos. Payload: Pageos A. Mass: 55 kg.
The PAGEOS (Passive Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite) spacecraft was a 30.48-m inflatable sphere, and had no instrumentation on board. It was the second (following GEOS 1) NASA satellite in the National Geodetic Satellites Program. The launch, orbit, separation, inflation and initial operation were nominal, with more than 40 ground stations participating in the observation program. The orbit was generally considered too high for drag-density study, although some work was done in this area by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Additional Details: Pageos 1.
Pageos canister half Spacecraft: Pageos. Payload: Pageos canister half.
Pageos canister half Spacecraft: Pageos. Payload: Pageos canister half.

1966 Sep 20 - - 21:14 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 477 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1628. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

KH-4A 1035 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1035 / Agena D 1628. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily. First mission flown with pan geometry modification.
SRV 724 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1035-2.
SRV 723 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1035-1.

1966 Dec 29 - - 12:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 459 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 2731. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC2W.

OPS 1584 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 10 / Agena D 2731. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1967 Jan 14 - - 21:28 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 495 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1629. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

KH-4A 1038 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1038 / Agena D 1629. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Fair image quality.
SRV 719 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1038-1.
SRV 720 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1038-2.

1967 Feb 22 - - 22:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 493 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1635. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

KH-4A 1039 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1039 / Agena D 1635. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Normal KH-4 mission. Light from horizon camera on both main camera records during 1039-1.
SRV 730 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1039-2.
SRV 729 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1039-1.

1967 Mar 30 - - 18:54 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 501 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 1636. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

KH-4A 1040 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: KH-4A s/n 1040 / Agena D 1636. Mass: 1,500 kg.
KH-4A. Satellite flown nose first, all cameras operated satisfactorily.
SRV 721 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1040-1.
SRV 722 Spacecraft: KH-4A. Payload: SRV 1040-2.

1967 Jul 25 - - 03:48 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 496 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 2732. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC2W.

OPS 1879 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 11 / Agena D 2732. Mass: 1,500 kg.

1967 Jul 28 - - 14:21 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 478 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 6802 (TA8). Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC2E.

OGO 4 Spacecraft: OGO. Payload: OGO D (NASA S-50A). Mass: 634 kg.
OGO 4 was a large observatory instrumented with experiments designed to study the interrelationships between the aurora and airglow emissions, energetic particle activity, geomagnetic field variation, ionospheric ionization and recombination, and atmospheric heating which take place during a period of increased solar activity. After the spacecraft achieved orbit and the experiments were deployed into an operating mode, an attitude control problem occurred. This condition was corrected by ground control procedures until complete failure of the tape recording systems in mid-January 1969. At that time, due to the difficulty of maintaining attitude control without the tape recorders, the attitude control system was commanded off, and the spacecraft was placed into a spin-stabilized mode about the axis which was previously maintained vertically. In this mode, seven of the remaining experiments were turned off since no meaningful data could be observed by them. On October 23, 1969, the satellite was turned off. It was reactivated again in January 1970 for 2 months to obtain VLF observations.

1968 Jan 17 - - 10:12 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2C s/n 498 / Agena D s/n 2733. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC2W.

OPS 1965 Spacecraft: Ferret. Payload: Ferret 12 / Agena D 2733. Mass: 1,500 kg.

Bibliography:

42 - Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991.

Back to Index

Last update 12 March 2001.
Definitions of Technical Terms.
Contact Mark Wade with any corrections or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
© Mark Wade, 2001 .