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KH-4

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KH-4 Recovery
KH-4 Recovery Sequence
Credit: CIA

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Status: Operational 1962. First Launch: 1962-02-27. Last Launch: 1963-12-21. Number: 31 . Gross mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb).

Also carried a 1.5 inch index camera, with a focal length of 38 mm, a ground resolution of 162 m, and frame coverage of 308 km x 308 km.

Photo Gallery

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Corona Optics Corona Satellite Optical Path

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KH-4 Corona Credit: Manufacturer Image

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KH-4 9053 Credit: Manufacturer Image

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KH-4B cutaway Credit: CIA

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KH-4 Systems Credit: CIA

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• Discoverer 38 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9031 / Agena B 1123. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-03-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 247 . COSPAR: 1962-Epsilon-1. Apogee: 277 km (172 mi). Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Inclination: 82.20 deg. Period: 89.40 min. First mission of the KH-4 series. Much of film slightly out of focus.. Capsule recovered 4.1 days later..

• Discoverer 39 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9032 / Agena B 1124. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-05-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 276 . COSPAR: 1962-Lambda-1. Apogee: 540 km (330 mi). Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Inclination: 73.50 deg. Period: 91.60 min. KH-4. Best mission to date..

• KH-4 9033 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9033 / Agena B 1125. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-05-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 290 . COSPAR: 1962-Rho-1. Apogee: 475 km (295 mi). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Inclination: 73.10 deg. Period: 91.10 min. KH-4. Mission failed. Parachute ejector squibs holding parachute container cover failed to fire. No recovery..

• KH-4 9035 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9035 / Agena B 1128. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-06-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 302 . COSPAR: 1962-Phi-1. Apogee: 350 km (210 mi). Perigee: 192 km (119 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 89.90 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 3.1 days later. Slight corona static on film..

• KH-4 9036 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9036 / Agena B 1127. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-06-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 304 . COSPAR: 1962-Chi-1. Apogee: 401 km (249 mi). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Inclination: 74.50 deg. Period: 90.60 min. KH-4. Mission failed. During air catch, chute tore loose. Capsule sank..

• KH-4 9037 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9037 / Agena B 1129. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-07-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 315 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Beta-1. Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 89.60 min. KH-4. Corona static occurs on some film..

• KH-4 9038 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9038 / Agena D 1151. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-09-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 316 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Gamma-1. Apogee: 698 km (433 mi). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Inclination: 76.00 deg. Period: 93.60 min.

  The first Agena D (#1151) upper stage vehicle was successfully flown on a Thor booster (#340) launched from Vandenberg AFB. The Lockheed Agena D was a redesign of the basic Agena B and was intended to be the standard stage vehicle for most Defense Department and NASA programs. The program was begun in August 1961, revised and accelerated in November, and had its first flight in June 1962. KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Severe corona static.

• KH-4 9039 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9039 / Agena B 1130. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-08-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 344 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Eta-1. Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min. KH-4. Aborted after 6 photo passes. Heavy corona and radiation fog..

• KH-4 9040 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9040 / Agena B 1131. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-08-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 345 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Theta-1. Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 90.60 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. No filters on slave horizon cameras. Heavy corona and radiation fog..

• KH-4 9041 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9041 / Agena D 1152. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-08-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 360 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Kappa-1. Apogee: 423 km (262 mi). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 90.80 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Severe corona and radiation fog..

• KH-4 9044 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9044 / Agena D 1153. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-09-10 . USAF Sat Cat: 377 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Sigma-1. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 90.40 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Erratic vehicle attitude. Radiation fog minimal..

• KH-4 9043 / TRS 1 (ERS 2) - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9043 / TRS 1 (ERS 2) / Agena B 1133. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-11-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 396 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Chi-1. Apogee: 668 km (415 mi). Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Inclination: 81.80 deg. Period: 93.30 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 1.1 days later; ERS-2 subsatellite failed to deploy. Capping shutter malfunction, slight corona and radiation fog..

• KH-4 9045 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9045 / Agena D 1154. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-10-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 427 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Beta-1. Apogee: 388 km (241 mi). Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 90.30 min. KH-4. First use of stellar camera, erratic vehicle attitude, numerous light leaks..

• KH-4 9047 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9047 / Agena B 1136. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-12-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 453 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Omicron-1. Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 90.60 min. KH-4; film capsule; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Camera door malfunctioned, flare degraded 15% of film..

• SRV 599 - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. COSPAR: 1962-B-Omicron-x.

• KH-4 9048 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9048 / Agena B 1135. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-12-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 481 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Rho-1. Apogee: 339 km (210 mi). Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.90 min. KH-4. Some film exposed through base..

• KH-4 9049 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9049 / Agena D 1155. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1962-12-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 490 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Sigma-1. Apogee: 273 km (169 mi). Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 89.20 min. KH-4. Mission failed. During air catch chute tore, capsule sank..

• KH-4 9050 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9050 / Agena D 1156. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-01-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 505 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Phi-1. Apogee: 386 km (239 mi). Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Best mission to date..

• KH-4 9051 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9051 / Agena D 1157 / OPS 0048. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-01-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 525 . COSPAR: 1963-002A. Apogee: 384 km (238 mi). Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min. KH-4. Erratic vehicle attitude. Frame ephemeris not created..

• KH-4 9052 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9052. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-02-28 . KH-4. Mission failed..

• SRV 610 - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4.

• KH-4 9053 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9053 / Agena D 1160 / OPS 0720. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-04-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 562 . COSPAR: 1963-007A. Apogee: 408 km (253 mi). Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 90.50 min. KH-4; film capsule recovered 3.1 days later. Best imagery to date..

• KH-4 9054 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9054 / Agena D 1161 / OPS 0954. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-07-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 590 . COSPAR: 1963-019A. Apogee: 416 km (258 mi). Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Inclination: 81.80 deg. Period: 90.70 min. KH-4. Some imagery seriously affected by corona..

• KH-4 9056 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9056 / Agena D 1166 / OPS 0999. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-07-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 609 . COSPAR: 1963-025A. Apogee: 338 km (210 mi). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 89.90 min. KH-4. Experimental camera carried. Film affected by light leaks..

• KH-4 9057 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9057 / Agena D 1412 / OPS 1266. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-08-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 621 . COSPAR: 1963-029A. Apogee: 382 km (237 mi). Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 90.40 min. KH-4. Best mission to date..

• KH-4 9033 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9033 & Lampo / Agena D 1169 / OPS 1561. Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-11-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 637 . COSPAR: 1963-035A. Apogee: 324 km (201 mi). Perigee: 292 km (181 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 90.80 min. The first Thor standard launch vehicle, SLV-2, with an Agena D upper stage vehicle, was launched from Vandenberg AFB. KH-5; deployed ELINT subsatellite. Considered to be best mission to date in Argon program..

• KH-4 9060 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9060. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-11-09 . KH-4. Mission failed..

• SRV 632 - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4.

• KH-4 9061 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9061 / Agena D 1172 / OPS 2260. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1963-12-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 695 . COSPAR: 1963-048A. Apogee: 368 km (228 mi). Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Inclination: 69.60 deg. Period: 90.00 min. KH-4. Mission failed. Return capsule separated from satellite but remained in orbit..

• KH-4 9062 - . Payload: KH-4 s/n 9062 / Agena D 1168 / OPS 1388. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1964-01-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 718 . COSPAR: 1963-055A. Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. KH-4; deployed ELINT subsatellite. Corona static fogged much of film..

• P-11 motor - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4. Decay Date: 1964-01-08 . COSPAR: 1963-055xx.