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Thorad SLV-2G Agena D

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AKA: SLV-2G;Thorad Agena D SLV-2G. Status: Retired 1971. First Launch: 1966-08-09. Last Launch: 1971-12-14. Number: 30 . Thrust: 1,444.00 kN (324,624 lbf). Gross mass: 91,400 kg (201,500 lb). Height: 32.90 m (107.90 ft). Diameter: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

Flyaway Unit Cost 1985$: 19.560 million. Flyaway Unit Cost 1985$: 22.170 million.

Stage Data - Thorad Agena D SLV-2G

• Stage 0. 3 x Castor 1. Gross Mass: 3,852 kg (8,492 lb). Empty Mass: 535 kg (1,179 lb). Thrust (vac): 286.001 kN (64,296 lbf). Isp: 247 sec. Burn time: 27 sec. Isp(sl): 232 sec. Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Span: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Length: 5.92 m (19.42 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: M33-20-4. Status: Out of Production.

• Stage 1. 1 x Delta Thor LT. Gross Mass: 70,354 kg (155,104 lb). Empty Mass: 3,715 kg (8,190 lb). Thrust (vac): 866.710 kN (194,844 lbf). Isp: 290 sec. Burn time: 215 sec. Isp(sl): 256 sec. Diameter: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Span: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Length: 21.43 m (70.30 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: MB-3-3. Other designations: Long Tank Thor. Status: Out of Production.

• Stage 2. 1 x Agena D. Gross Mass: 6,821 kg (15,037 lb). Empty Mass: 673 kg (1,483 lb). Thrust (vac): 71.166 kN (15,999 lbf). Isp: 300 sec. Burn time: 265 sec. Diameter: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Span: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Length: 7.09 m (23.26 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: Bell 8096. Status: Out of Production. One of the real workhorses of U. S. space exploration, Agena was an upper stage which was also employed as a spacecraft, the whole vehicle going into orbit. Agena played a key role in manned space flight; it was the target vehicle for rendezvous and docking maneuvers in NASA's Gemini project. Agena had a main rocket engine capable of multiple re-starts in space; in the modified target vehicle version it also had 2 secondary engines to provide small changes in velocity and position in orbit. In the Gemini Agena, a control system could handle 96 commands from the astronauts or from ground stations. Agena was used as an upper stage with the Thor, augmented Thor, Atlas and Titan boosters; it had played important roles in such military and NASA programs as Discoverer, Samos, Mariner, OGO, Lunar Orbiter, Ranger and Orbiting Astronomical Observatory.

• KH-4A 1036 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1036 / Agena D 1631 / OPS 1545. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1966-09-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 2393 . COSPAR: 1966-072A. Apogee: 284 km (176 mi). Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Inclination: 100.10 deg. Period: 89.20 min. KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily..

• KH-4A 1037 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1037 / Agena D 1632 / OPS 1866. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1966-11-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 2537 . COSPAR: 1966-102A. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Inclination: 100.00 deg. Period: 89.20 min. KH-4A. Second pan geometry mission. Higher than normal base plus fog encountered on both main camera records..

• KH-4A 1041 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1041 / Agena D 1634 / OPS 4696. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1967-07-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 2779 . COSPAR: 1967-043A. Apogee: 791 km (491 mi). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 94.30 min. KH-4A. Due to the failure of the booster cut-off switch, the satellite went into a highly eccentric orbit. Significant image degradation..

• SRV 731 - . Payload: SRV 1041-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1993-03-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 2780 . COSPAR: 1967-043xx. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). Perigee: 131 km (81 mi). Inclination: 84.90 deg. Period: 87.20 min.

• OPS 1967 - . Payload: EHH B7. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1993-03-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 2780 . COSPAR: 1967-043B. Apogee: 458 km (284 mi). Perigee: 399 km (247 mi). Inclination: 84.90 deg. Period: 93.20 min. Radar monitoring. Due to the failure of the booster cut-off switch, the satellite went into a highly eccentric orbit..

• KH-4A 1042 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1042 / Agena D 1633 / OPS 3559. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1967-07-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 2850 . COSPAR: 1967-062A. Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.00 min. KH-4A. Small out-of-focus area in forward camera of 1042-1..

• OPS 1873 - . Payload: EHH B8. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1968-10-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 2851 . COSPAR: 1967-062B. Apogee: 517 km (321 mi). Perigee: 501 km (311 mi). Inclination: 80.20 deg. Period: 94.80 min. Radar monitoring..

• SRV 725 - . Payload: SRV 1042-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1968-10-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 2851 . COSPAR: 1967-062xx. Apogee: 197 km (122 mi). Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Inclination: 80.20 deg. Period: 88.30 min.

• KH-4A 1043 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1043 / Agena D 1637 / OPS 4827. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1967-09-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 2910 . COSPAR: 1967-076A. Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Perigee: 174 km (108 mi). Inclination: 79.90 deg. Period: 89.70 min. KH-4A. Forward camera film came out of the rails on pass 230D. Film degraded past this point..

• KH-4B 1101 - . Payload: KH-4B s/n 1101 / Agena D 1641 / OPS 5089. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1967-10-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 2946 . COSPAR: 1967-087A. Apogee: 372 km (231 mi). Perigee: 156 km (96 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. KH-4B. First mission of the KH-4B series. Best film to date..

• KH-4A 1044 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1044 / OPS 0562. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1967-12-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 3024 . COSPAR: 1967-109A. Apogee: 410 km (250 mi). Perigee: 184 km (114 mi). Inclination: 81.50 deg. Period: 90.40 min. KH-4A. All cameras operated fine..

• SRV 733 - . Payload: SRV 1044-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1969-03-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 3025 . COSPAR: 1967-109xx. Apogee: 208 km (129 mi). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 88.40 min.

• OPS 1587 - . Payload: EHH B9. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1969-03-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 3025 . COSPAR: 1967-109B. Apogee: 525 km (326 mi). Perigee: 454 km (282 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 94.30 min. Radar monitoring..

• KH-4B 1102 - . Payload: KH-4B s/n 1102 / Agena D 1642 / OPS 1001. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1967-12-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 3063 . COSPAR: 1967-122A. Apogee: 248 km (154 mi). Perigee: 151 km (93 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 88.40 min. KH-4B. Noticeable image smear for forward camera, but best imagery to date..

• KH-4A 1045 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1045 / Agena D 1640 / OPS 2243. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1968-02-27 . USAF Sat Cat: 3113 . COSPAR: 1968-008A. Apogee: 438 km (272 mi). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Inclination: 81.50 deg. Period: 90.70 min. KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily..

• OPS 6236 - . Payload: EHH B10. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1970-03-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 3114 . COSPAR: 1968-008B. Apogee: 545 km (338 mi). Perigee: 470 km (290 mi). Inclination: 81.70 deg. Period: 94.70 min. Radar monitoring..

• SRV 741 - . Payload: SRV 1045-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1970-03-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 3114 . COSPAR: 1968-008xx. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi). Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 88.20 min.

• KH-4A 1046 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1046 / Agena D 1638 / OPS 4849. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1968-04-10 . USAF Sat Cat: 3152 . COSPAR: 1968-020A. Apogee: 390 km (240 mi). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 90.20 min. KH-4A. Image quality good for 1046-1 and fair for 1046-2..

• SRV 747 - . Payload: SRV 1046-1 / OPS 7076. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1970-01-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 3153 . COSPAR: 1968-020xx. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi). Perigee: 189 km (117 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 88.30 min.

• OPS 7076 - . Payload: EHH B11. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1970-01-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 3153 . COSPAR: 1968-020B. Apogee: 524 km (325 mi). Perigee: 481 km (298 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 94.60 min. Radar monitoring..

• KH-4B 1103 - . Payload: KH-4B s/n 1103 / OPS 1419. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1968-05-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 3228 . COSPAR: 1968-039B. Apogee: 243 km (150 mi). Perigee: 164 km (101 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 88.60 min. KH-4B. Out-of-focus imagery is present on both main camera records..

• SRV 807 - . Payload: SRV 1103-1. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1968-05-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 3232 . COSPAR: 1968-039C. Apogee: 199 km (123 mi). Perigee: 142 km (88 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 87.90 min.

• Nimbus B - . Mass: 570 kg (1,250 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Nimbus. Decay Date: 1968-05-18 . Nimbus B2 meteorological satellite..

• EGRS 10 - . Payload: Secor 10. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft: Secor. Army-sponsored Sequential Collocation of Range (SECOR) satellite..

• KH-4A 1047 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1047 / Agena D 1645 / OPS 5343. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1968-07-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 3296 . COSPAR: 1968-052A. Apogee: 402 km (249 mi). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min. KH-4A. Out-of-focus imagery is present on both main camera records..

• SRV 745 - . Payload: SRV 1047-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1970-01-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 3297 . COSPAR: 1968-052xx. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Inclination: 85.10 deg. Period: 88.10 min.

• OPS 5259 - . Payload: EHH B12. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1970-01-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 3297 . COSPAR: 1968-052B. Apogee: 514 km (319 mi). Perigee: 435 km (270 mi). Inclination: 85.10 deg. Period: 94.10 min. Radar monitoring..

• KH-4B 1104 - . Payload: KH-4B s/n 1104 / Agena D 1644 / OPS 5955. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1968-08-27 . USAF Sat Cat: 3336 . COSPAR: 1968-065A. Apogee: 259 km (160 mi). Perigee: 160 km (90 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 88.70 min. KH-4B. Best imagery to date on any KH-4 systems. Bicolor and color infrared experiments were conducted on this mission..

• KH-4A 1048 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1048 / Agena D 1647 / OPS 0165. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1968-10-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 3408 . COSPAR: 1968-078A. Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 90.10 min. KH-4A. Film in the forward camera separated and camera failed on mission 1048-2, also the stellar/index camera unit failed..

• OPS 8595 - . Payload: EHH B13. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1969-09-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 3409 . COSPAR: 1968-078B. Apogee: 514 km (319 mi). Perigee: 500 km (310 mi). Inclination: 83.20 deg. Period: 94.80 min. Radar monitoring..

• SRV 749 - . Payload: SRV 1048-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1969-09-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 3409 . COSPAR: 1968-078xx. Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Inclination: 83.20 deg. Period: 89.00 min.

• OPS 0964 - . Payload: Ferret 13 / Agena D 2734. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1971-03-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 3472 . COSPAR: 1968-086A. Apogee: 511 km (317 mi). Perigee: 483 km (300 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

• KH-4B 1105 - . Payload: KH-4B s/n 1105 / Agena D 1646 / OPS 1315. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1968-11-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 3531 . COSPAR: 1968-098A. Apogee: 288 km (178 mi). Perigee: 150 km (90 mi). Inclination: 82.20 deg. Period: 88.90 min. KH-4B. Image quality is variable and displays areas of soft focus and image smear..

• KH-4A 1049 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1049 / Agena D 1648 / OPS 4740. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1968-12-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 3604 . COSPAR: 1968-112A. Apogee: 248 km (154 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.70 min. KH-4A. Degraded film.

• SRV 751 - . Payload: SRV 1049-1. Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. COSPAR: 1968-112xx. Apogee: 248 km (154 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.70 min.

• OPS 7684 - . Payload: EHH C1 / OPS 7684. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. USAF Sat Cat: 3605 . COSPAR: 1968-112B. Apogee: 1,466 km (910 mi). Perigee: 1,378 km (856 mi). Inclination: 80.40 deg. Period: 114.30 min. ABM monitoring..

• KH-4B 1106 - . Payload: KH-4B s/n 1106 / Agena D 1650 / OPS 3890. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Decay Date: 1969-02-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 3672 . COSPAR: 1969-010A. Apogee: 275 km (170 mi). Perigee: 147 km (91 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min. KH-4B. The best image quality to date..

• SRV 801R - . Payload: SRV 1106-1. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4B. COSPAR: 1969-010xx. Apogee: 275 km (170 mi). Perigee: 147 km (91 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min.

• OPS 2644 - . Payload: EHH C2 / OPS 2644. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. USAF Sat Cat: 3673 . COSPAR: 1969-010B. Apogee: 1,429 km (887 mi). Perigee: 1,391 km (864 mi). Inclination: 80.40 deg. Period: 114.00 min. ABM monitoring..

• KH-4A 1050 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1050 / Agena D 1651 / OPS 3722. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1969-03-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 3829 . COSPAR: 1969-026A. Apogee: 252 km (156 mi). Perigee: 165 km (102 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 88.60 min. KH-4A. Due to abnormal rotational rates after revolution 22, the mission was terminated after a total of three days collecting photography..

• SRV 737 - . Payload: SRV 1050-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1971-12-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 3830 . COSPAR: 1969-026xx. Apogee: 168 km (104 mi). Perigee: 168 km (104 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 87.90 min.

• OPS 2285 - . Payload: EHH B14. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1971-12-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 3830 . COSPAR: 1969-026B. Apogee: 515 km (320 mi). Perigee: 502 km (311 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 94.70 min. Radar monitoring..

• Nimbus 3 - . Payload: Nimbus B2. Mass: 575 kg (1,267 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Nimbus. USAF Sat Cat: 3890 . COSPAR: 1969-037A. Apogee: 1,130 km (700 mi). Perigee: 1,071 km (665 mi). Inclination: 100.40 deg. Period: 107.30 min.

  Primary experiments consisted of a satellite infrared spectrometer (SIRS) for determining the vertical temperature profiles of the atmosphere, an infrared interferometer spectrometer (IRIS) for measuring the emission spectra of the earth-atmosphere system, both high- and medium-resolution infrared radiometers (HRIR and MRIR) for yielding information on the distribution and intensity of infrared radiation emitted and reflected by the earth and its atmosphere, monitor of ultraviolet solar energy (MUSE) for detecting solar UV radiation, image dissector camera system for providing daytime cloudcover pictures in both real-time mode using the real time transmission system and tape recorder mode using the high data rate storage system, radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) SNAP-19 to assess the operational capability of radioisotope power for space applications, and an interrogation, recording and location system (IRLS) experiment designed to locate, interrogate, record, and retransmit meteorological and geophysical data from remote collection stations. Nimbus-3 was successful and performed normally until July 22, 1969, when the IRIS experiment failed. The HRIR and the SIRS experiments were terminated on January 25, 1970, and June 21, 1970, respectively. The remaining experiments continued operation until September 25, 1970, when the rear horizon scanner failed. Without this horizon scanner, it was impossible to maintain proper spacecraft attitude, thus making most experimental observations useless. All spacecraft operations were terminated on January 22, 1972.

• SECOR 13 - . Payload: EGRS 13. Mass: 20 kg (44 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USA ACE. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: SECOR. USAF Sat Cat: 3891 . COSPAR: 1969-037B. Apogee: 1,129 km (701 mi). Perigee: 1,070 km (660 mi). Inclination: 100.30 deg. Period: 107.30 min. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

• KH-4A 1051 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1051 / Agena D 1649 / OPS 1101. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1969-05-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 3914 . COSPAR: 1969-041A. Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). Perigee: 168 km (104 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. KH-4A. Imagery of both pan camera records is soft and lacks crispness and edge sharpness..

• SRV 739 - . Payload: SRV 1051-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1970-02-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 3915 . COSPAR: 1969-041xx. Apogee: 193 km (119 mi). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Inclination: 65.70 deg. Period: 88.20 min.

• OPS 1721 - . Payload: EHH B15. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1970-02-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 3915 . COSPAR: 1969-041B. Apogee: 470 km (290 mi). Perigee: 407 km (252 mi). Inclination: 65.70 deg. Period: 93.30 min. Radar monitoring..

• OPS 8285 - . Payload: Ferret 14 / Agena D 2735. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1973-01-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 4054 . COSPAR: 1969-065A. Apogee: 536 km (333 mi). Perigee: 465 km (288 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

• KH-4A 1052 - . Payload: KH-4A s/n 1052 / Agena D 1653 / OPS 3531. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1969-10-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 4102 . COSPAR: 1969-079A. Apogee: 253 km (157 mi). Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min. KH-4A. Last of the KH-4A missions, all camera systems operated satisfactorily..

• SRV 743R - . Payload: SRV 1052-1. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1971-05-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 4103 . COSPAR: 1969-079xx. Apogee: 211 km (131 mi). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Inclination: 85.10 deg. Period: 88.70 min.

• OPS 4710 - . Payload: EHH B16. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-4A. Decay Date: 1971-05-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 4103 . COSPAR: 1969-079B. Apogee: 496 km (308 mi). Perigee: 490 km (300 mi). Inclination: 85.20 deg. Period: 94.50 min. Radar monitoring. Last of the KH-4A missions..

• OPS 1807 - . Payload: EHH B17. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1970-10-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 4111 . COSPAR: 1969-082A. Apogee: 484 km (300 mi). Perigee: 446 km (277 mi). Inclination: 69.60 deg. Period: 93.90 min.

• Timation 2 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Program: Navstar. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Timation. USAF Sat Cat: 4257 . COSPAR: 1969-082C. Apogee: 925 km (574 mi). Perigee: 898 km (557 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.20 min. Navigation experiments leading eventually to Navstar/GPS system. Operated for 6 years..

• SOICAL Cylinder - . Payload: S69-4 Cylinder. Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Radar calibration target. Spacecraft: SOICAL. USAF Sat Cat: 4166 . COSPAR: 1969-082J. Apogee: 812 km (504 mi). Perigee: 791 km (491 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 100.90 min. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• Tempsat 2 - . Mass: 9.00 kg (19.80 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Radar calibration target. Spacecraft: Tempsat. USAF Sat Cat: 4168 . COSPAR: 1969-082H. Apogee: 924 km (574 mi). Perigee: 899 km (558 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.20 min. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• Surcal - . Payload: NRL PL164 / OPS 7613 / Poppy 6D (Poppy multifacete. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 4295 . COSPAR: 1969-082G. Apogee: 926 km (575 mi). Perigee: 899 km (558 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.30 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite..

• Surcal - . Payload: NRL PL163 / OPS 7613 / Poppy 6C (Poppy multifacete. Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 4247 . COSPAR: 1969-082F. Apogee: 925 km (574 mi). Perigee: 898 km (557 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.20 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite. Official and secondary mission: Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• Surcal - . Payload: NRL PL162 / OPS 7613 / Poppy 6B (Poppy multifacet. Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 4237 . COSPAR: 1969-082E. Apogee: 925 km (574 mi). Perigee: 899 km (558 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.30 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite. Official and secondary mission:Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• SOICAL Cone - . Payload: S69-4 Cone. Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Radar calibration target. Spacecraft: SOICAL. USAF Sat Cat: 4132 . COSPAR: 1969-082K. Apogee: 870 km (540 mi). Perigee: 844 km (524 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 102.10 min. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• Surcal - . Payload: NRL PL176 / OPS 7613 P/L 1. Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Radar calibration target. Spacecraft: Surcal. USAF Sat Cat: 4256 . COSPAR: 1969-082B. Apogee: 918 km (570 mi). Perigee: 893 km (554 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.10 min. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• Surcal - . Payload: NRL PL161 / OPS 7613 / Poppy 6A (Poppy multifacet. Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 4259 . COSPAR: 1969-082D. Apogee: 928 km (576 mi). Perigee: 899 km (558 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 103.30 min. Launch of a quadruplet of Poppy naval signals intelligence satellites. Official and secondary mission: Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• SERT 2 - . Mass: 1,404 kg (3,095 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Cleveland. Class: Technology. Type: Ion engine technology satellite. Spacecraft: SERT. USAF Sat Cat: 4327 . COSPAR: 1970-009A. Apogee: 1,046 km (649 mi). Perigee: 1,039 km (645 mi). Inclination: 99.20 deg. Period: 106.00 min.

  Space Electric Rocket Test; the ion engines aboard were operated until 1981. The SERT 2 development program started in 1966 and included thruster ground tests of 6742 hours and 5169 hours duration. A prototype version of the SERT 2 spacecraft was ground-tested for a period of 2400 hours with an operating ion engine. In addition to diagnostic equipment and related ion engine hardware, the spacecraft had two identical 15 cm diameter, mercury ion engines. Flight objectives included in-space operation for a period of 6 months, measurement of thrust, and demonstration of electromagnetic compatibility. The thruster maximum power level was 0.85 kW, and this provided operation at a 28 mN thrust level at 4200 s specific impulse. Flight data were obtained from 1970 to 1981 with an ion engine operating intermittently in one of three different modes, namely, HV ion extraction, discharge chamber operation only, or just neutralizer operation. Major results were that two mercury engines thrusted for periods of 3781 hours and 2011 hours. Test duration was limited due to shorts in the ion optical system. Thrust measured in space and on the ground agreed within the measurement uncertainties. Up to 300 thruster restarts were demonstrated. One power-processing unit accumulated nearly 17,900 hours during the course of the mission. Additionally, the ion propulsion system was electromagnetically compatible with all other spacecraft systems.

• Nimbus 4 - . Payload: Nimbus D. Mass: 620 kg (1,360 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Nimbus. USAF Sat Cat: 4362 . COSPAR: 1970-025A. Apogee: 1,099 km (682 mi). Perigee: 1,088 km (676 mi). Inclination: 100.10 deg. Period: 107.10 min.

  A Long Tank Thrust Augmented Thor/Agena D space booster lifted NASA's Nimbus 4 meteorological satellite into orbit from Vandenberg. This was the 400th launch.. of the Thor booster that was originally developed by the Air Force as an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) in the 1950s. Environmental research. Primary experiments consisted of an image dissector camera system for providing daytime cloudcover pictures both in real-time and recorded modes, temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (THIR) for measuring daytime and nighttime surface and cloudtop temperatures as well as the water vapor content of the upper atmosphere, infrared interferometer spectrometer (IRIS) for measuring the emission spectra of the earth/atmosphere system, satellite infrared spectrometer (SIRS) for determining the vertical profiles of temperature and water vapor in the atmosphere, a monitor of ultraviolet solar energy (MUSE) for detecting solar UV radiation, a backscatter ultraviolet (BUV) detector for monitoring the vertical distribution and total amount of atmospheric ozone on a global scale, a filter wedge spectrometer (FWS) for accurate measurement of IR radiance as a function of wavelength from the earth/atmosphere system, a selective chopper radiometer (SCR) for determining the temperatures of six successive 10-km layers in the atmosphere from absorption measurements in the 15-micrometer CO2 band, and an interrogation, recording, and location system (IRLS) for locating, interrogating, recording, and retransmitting meteorological and geophysical data from remote collection stations. The spacecraft performed well until April 14, 1971, when attitude problems started. The experiments then operated on a limited time basis until September 30, 1980.

• TOPO 1 - . Payload: Topo A. Mass: 18 kg (39 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USA TOPO. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: TOPO. USAF Sat Cat: 4363 . COSPAR: 1970-025B. Apogee: 1,087 km (675 mi). Perigee: 1,084 km (673 mi). Inclination: 100.00 deg. Period: 107.00 min. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

• OPS 8329 - . Payload: Ferret 15. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1975-03-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 4503 . COSPAR: 1970-066A. Apogee: 499 km (310 mi). Perigee: 496 km (308 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.50 min.

• ASTEX - . Payload: P71-2 / Agena D. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF STP. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: ASTEX. USAF Sat Cat: 5560 . COSPAR: 1971-089A. Apogee: 761 km (472 mi). Perigee: 738 km (458 mi). Inclination: 92.70 deg. Period: 99.80 min.

  Space Test Program Flight 71-2 (STP 71-2), a Thorad/Agena launch vehicle, inserted four payloads into orbit from Vandenberg. Space Test Program; technology experiments. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

• OPS 7898 P/L 1 - . Payload: NRL PL171 / OPS 7898 / Poppy 7A (Poppy multifacete. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 5678 . COSPAR: 1971-110A. Apogee: 999 km (620 mi). Perigee: 983 km (610 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 104.90 min. Launch of a quadruplet of Poppy naval signals intelligence satellites. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• OPS 7898 P/L 3 - . Payload: NRL PL173 / OPS 7898 / Poppy 7C (Poppy multifacete. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 5681 . COSPAR: 1971-110D. Apogee: 997 km (619 mi). Perigee: 982 km (610 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 104.90 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite. Official and secondary mission: Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• OPS 7898 P/L 4 - . Payload: NRL PL174 / OPS 7898 / Poppy 7D (Poppy multifacete. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 5682 . COSPAR: 1971-110E. Apogee: 997 km (619 mi). Perigee: 981 km (609 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 104.90 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite. Official and secondary mission: Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• OPS 7898 P/L 2 - . Payload: NRL PL172 / OPS 7898 / Poppy 7B (Poppy multifacete. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. USAF Sat Cat: 5680 . COSPAR: 1971-110C. Apogee: 999 km (620 mi). Perigee: 983 km (610 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 104.90 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite. Official and secondary mission: Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..