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Vandenberg

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Vandenberg Credit: © Mark Wade

First Launch: 1958-12-16. Last Launch: 2014-08-13. Number: 1952 . Location: California. Longitude: -120.60 deg. Latitude: 34.77 deg. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi).

Vandenberg began as the US Army's Camp Cooke before World War II. The Army purchased approximately 86,000 acres of land in March 1941. With its flat plateau, surrounding hills, numerous nearby canyons, and relative remoteness from populated areas, the Army was convinced that it had found an ideal location for armored division training. Five armored divisions and numerous other units trained their during the second world war. The main camp was inactivated in June 1946, then reactivated in August 1950 for armored training during the Korean War. It was mothballed again in February 1953.

By 1955 the US Air Force identified an urgent need for a secure launch site for long-range ballistic missile tests to targets in the Pacific Ocean and space launches into polar orbit. Camp Cooke's remote location, with a southern-facing shore, offered a unique location for such activities. In November 1956 the Secretary of Defense transferred North Camp Cooke to the Air Force. Two months later the first Air Force unit, the 6591st Support Squadron, was established at Cooke. Ground breaking for the missile base came in May 1957. The United States Air Force responded to Russian Sputnik launch in October 1957 by accelerating the development of its missile program. It transferred management responsibilities for Cooke AFB from Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) on January 1, 1958. Site activation, and research and development testing of ballistic missiles remained with ARDC. Space launches were to be conducted jointly by both commands. Although the mission at Cooke was now divided between ARDC and SAC, the two commands cultivated a close relationship that was to flourish for the next 35 years.

On October 4, 1958, Cooke AFB was renamed Vandenberg AFB in honor of the late General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the Air Force's second Chief of Staff. The first missile launch from Vandenberg AFB was a Thor IRBM on December 16, 1958. Two months later on February 28, 1959, the world's first polar orbiting satellite, Discoverer I, lifted into space from a Thor/Agena booster combination. The Atlas made its debut West Coast flight on September 9. The following month, equipped with a nuclear warhead, Vandenberg became the site of the first ICBM to be placed on alert in the United States.

In 1961, the Titan I entered the inventory at Vandenberg AFB, but a more advanced version with storable propellants, all inertial guidance, and in-silo launch capability--the Titan II--was already in the process of development. More importantly, the solid-propellant, three-stage Minuteman ICBM was under development and began flight tests at Vandenberg in September 1962.

In subsequent years, other launch vehicles followed including the Peacekeeper (MX) ICBM beginning in June 1983, the Titan IV space booster in March 1991, the air-launched Pegasus booster in April 1995, and most recently the Delta II commercial space booster in February 1996. By April 1996, 1,721 orbital and ballistic missiles had lifted off from Vandenberg AFB.

By far, the most ambitious Air Force endeavors at Vandenberg were the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) and the Space Shuttle programs. Construction work for MOL began at Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) in March 1966. The land for the new facility was obtained by an eminent domain purchase of the adjacent 15,000 acre Sudden Ranch at a cost of $9,842,700. Three years later, in June 1969, the project was canceled, the victim of cost overruns, completion delays, and emerging new technologies.

After nearly a decade of abandonment, SLC-6 was reactivated and underwent an estimated $4 billion modification program in preparation for the Space Shuttle, beginning in January 1979. Persistent site technical problems, however, and a joint decision by the Air Force and NASA to consolidate Shuttle operations at Cape Canaveral in Florida, following the Challenger tragedy in 1986, resulted in the official termination of the Shuttle program at Vandenberg on December 26, 1989. Today, SLC-6 is used by commercial space launch firms and for launches of the new Delta IV EELV booster.

On February 1, 1965, Vandenberg's AFWTR was given full responsibility for ICBM and space support functions, previously assigned to the Navy's Pacific Missile Range. The transfer involved taking over fixed and mobile range sites at Point Arguello, California; Pillar Point (San Mateo County), California; Kokee Park (Kauai County), Hawaii; South Point (Hawaii County), Hawaii; Canton, Midway, and Wake Islands in the mid-Pacific; Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls in the Marshall Islands; and six range instrumented ships (Huntsville, Longview, Range Tracker, Richfield, Sunnyvale, and Watertown).

By 1968, the AFWTR fleet had increased to eleven ships and was also supporting NASA's manned space program at Cape Canaveral, Florida. As land-based tracking and monitoring systems became increasingly more accurate and reliable, AFWTR retired from service its range ships the last one, USNS Sunnyvale, in January 1975. Likewise, most of the fixed instrumentation sites were transferred to other agencies.

Although geographically the range extends westward to the middle of the Indian Ocean, the only instrumentation sites presently comprising the downrange portion of the Western Range are at the Hawaiian Islands (augmented with instrumentation sites from other organizations), and the Army's missile range at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The uprange or California sites are located at Vandenberg AFB, Santa Ynez Peak (Santa Barbara County), Anderson Peak (Monterey County), and Pillar Point Air Force Station (San Mateo County). Additional support is garnered from the naval facilities at Point Mugu and Laguna Peak (Ventura County), as well as from San Nicholas Island off the coast from Point Mugu. The 30th Space Wing's Western Range instrumentation sites are operated and maintained by ITT/Federal Services Corporation.

In 1995 the California Spaceport, operated by Spaceport Systems International was created at Vandenberg. The U.S. Air Force awarded a 25 year lease which included a payload processing facility and more than 100 acres of land for commercial launch facility construction.

The FAA-certified California Spaceport took advantage of Vandenberg's existing launch pads, runways, payload processing facilities, telemetry and tracking equipment. Work was completed in 2004 to build a rolling access gantry to support Minuteman and future Peacekeeper space booster derivatives. A new SLC-8 gantry was installed in 2005.

The Spaceport Systems International Commercial Launch Facility (CLF) Site was located just south of SLC-6 next to the evaporation ponds. The concern's Integrated Processing Facility (IPF) was originally built for the Space Shuttle Program at a cost in excess of $300 million. The building was designed to process three shuttle-class payloads simultaneously. The vertical sliding doors were modified to allow the transfer of encapsulated payloads from the IPF in support of EELV and other launch programs.

SLC-6, after another expensive conversion program, finally saw use in the 21st Century as the launch facility for the Delta 4H Heavy EELV. By 2008 over 1940 major launches had been made from Vandenberg.

Minimum Inclination: 51.0 degrees. Maximum Inclination: 145.0 degrees.

With ICBM development receiving the highest national priority during the mid-1950s, the Air Force needed a location to test these missiles under operational conditions. Such conditions were difficult to simulate at Patrick AFB and Cape Canaveral, Florida, where missile testing had been taking place. After a nationwide search that included the evaluation of 200 different locations, in 1956 the Air Force settled on Camp Cooke, an Army facility located on the California coast 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Cooke was relatively far away from populated areas; enjoyed favorable climate that allowed year-round operations; had access to the ocean, which could be used as a

range; and was located close to the southern California aerospace industry. Here the Air Force could build and test the missiles and launching facilities that would form the backbone of United States strategic deterrence.

In 1957, the Army transferred the northern and southern sections of the base to the Air Force and Navy, respectively. The Navy subsequently established the Naval Missile Facility at Point Arguello and the Pacific Missile Range, and maintained control of the 20,000 acre tract until 1964. At that time the Air Force assumed control of this property and the range became known as the Western Test Range. Meanwhile, much had happened on the 65,000 acres that had been renamed Vandenberg AFB on October 4, 1958, to honor the deceased former Air Force Chief of Staff.

The Air Research Development Command took control of the facility in early 1957. With Air Force control established, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, in April 1957, activated the 1st Missile Division. Later dubbed "One Strad," this organization would play important roles in training missile launch crews, supporting test launches, and performing required missile maintenance.

Throughout the duration of the Cold War, prototype launch pads, control facilities, and silos for every generation of American ICBMs were built and tested at Vandenberg AFB. The Los Angeles District of the Army Corps of Engineers played an integral part in constructing these complex facilities and their supporting administrative and housing facilities. Groundbreaking began in May 1957 for the first of these facilities and during the next 3 years the Air Force expended over $200 million on new construction and to upgrade existing facilities. Examples of support facilities include huge sheet metal covered missile assembly buildings, liquid oxygen generation plants, and instrumentation facilities.

On July 1, 1957, the 704th Strategic Missile Wing was activated to oversee activities of specific missile training squadrons scheduled to be activated in the coming months. One of these squadrons, the 392nd Missile Training Squadron assumed the duties of training prospective missilemen on the Great Britain-bound Thor IRBM. The first launch facilities completed included seven launch pads and three blockhouses for the conduct of Thor IRBM testing. These complexes would later become known as SLC-1, SLC-2, and SLC-10. On December 16, 1958, a crew from the First Missile Division successfully launched a Thor IRBM, inaugurating the intermediate-range ballistic missile portion of the Pacific Missile Range. The following April, a Royal Air Force crew duplicated the feat.

In January 1958, ARDC transferred the base to the Strategic Air Command (SAC). With facilities under construction for America's first ICBM, on April 1, 1958, Headquarters SAC activated the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron.

The first Atlas launcher to be completed (576A-1) was accepted from the contractor by the 1st Missile Division on October 16, 1958. The first Atlas D missile arrived the following February. Initially, the squadron's Atlas D missiles were deployed at complexes

576A and 576B. Complex 576A consisted of three above-ground gantries; 576B had three above-ground coffin launchers of a type that would be constructed at other sites. Each complex had one launch control center.

The 576th SMS launched its first Atlas D on September 9, 1959. Immediately following the launch, SAC's Commander in Chief, General Thomas S. Power declared Vandenberg's Atlas missile operational. A month later, the squadron's Atlas missiles were placed on an alert status. The activation had more psychological value than military value as the reliability of the Atlas D missile was highly questionable. Improved versions were already undergoing production along with launch facilities to support them. As the above-ground sites became operational, construction continued on a buried coffin launcher to hold an Atlas E missile (designated launch site 576C) and work began on two Atlas F silo lift launchers (576D and 576E). By 1962, 11 prototype Atlas complexes had been constructed at Vandenberg AFB.

On July 31, 1958, construction began on the Operational System Test Facility for the Titan I missile. This facility would serve as the prototype of the hardened Titan I launch control facility. By the fall of 1960, four Titan I lift silos had been completed with three training silos (395 A-1,-2, and -3) grouped at one complex and a fourth located in a separate area. In December 1960, an explosion ripped through this silo during a simulated launch, resulting in massive damage. By early 1961, four silos were completed or undergoing completion for the follow-on Titan II system.

With the deactivation of first generation ICBMs in 1965, Vandenberg's Atlas and Titan I sites were deactivated with major equipment being salvaged. The last Titan II site remained in service until 1977.

Vandenberg also played an important role in the Minuteman program. In 1961 construction began on six Minuteman silos and a launch control facility. By 1965, 14 silos for Minuteman I and II missiles dotted the base's Casmalia hills south of Point Sal. Later, seven of these silos were modified to fire Minuteman III missiles. Three of these complexes underwent further modification in the 1980s to launch Peacekeeper MX ICBMs. Activated in 1960, the 394th Strategic Missile Squadron handled training and operations at these sites.

In April 1967, Vandenberg hosted a SAC-sponsored missile combat competition called "Operation Curtain Raiser" with crews from Titan II and Minuteman Wings participating. Eventually dubbed "Olympic Arena," this event grew to be an annual event with teams competing for the Blanchard Perpetual Trophy and other honors such as the Best Combat Crew, Best Targeting Team, Best Communications Team, Best Munitions Maintenance Team Award, and Best Missile Handling Team. These annual events enhanced professionalism and esprit de corps among America's missilemen and provided training opportunities since annual events often were planned to coincide with test launchings that often used the visiting crews to perform the task.

In addition to being used to evaluate the capabilities of operational ICBMs and serving as a launch location for many of America's military satellites, Vandenberg played an

important role in America's antiballistic missile efforts. In 1962, an Army Nike Zeus missile launched from Kwajalein Island successfully intercepted an Atlas D ICBM launched from Vandenberg. Many additional launched targets gave the Army opportunities to perfect its interceptor missiles and tracking capabilities.

By 1968, Vandenberg's 98,000 acres covered an area double that of the nation's capital, and supported a population of over 28,000. Some 1,076 buildings, 1,983 housing units, 797 trailer spaces, and a massive utility infrastructure supported the base mission.

In 1981, Space Launch Complex (SLC) 10/Thor, considered the best surviving example of 1950s launch technology, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex includes the launch pad, blockhouse, support buildings, roll-away shelter and an SM-75 Thor missile. In 1988, the Missile Heritage Foundation opened a museum at SLC-10 dedicated to preserving the history of the Air Force ICBM programs.

Photo Gallery

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Vandenberg Location of Vandenberg Credit: © Mark Wade

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• Camp Cooke reactivated - . Nation: USA. Camp Cooke reactivated and used during the Korean War as an armored and infantry training site..

• Camp Cooke again inactivated. (Future Vandenberg) - . Nation: USA.

• Vandenberg chosen as location for USAF ICBM and IRBM operations and training. - . Related Persons: , Quarles. Secretary of the Air Force Donald Quarles approved the location of ICBM and IRBM operational and training facilities at Camp Cooke, California, contingent upon approval by higher authorities..

• Vandenberg selected as first ICBM base. - . Nation: USA.

  Department of Defense transferred northern portion of Camp Cooke, Calif. (now Vandenberg AFB), to the Air Force to be used as first ICBM base. The Secretary of Defense directed the United States Army to transfer 64,000 acres of Camp Cooke's 86,000 acres to the Air Force.

• Vandenberg to be first operational ICBM base. - . Defense Secretary Charles E. Wilson approved transfer of the northern portion of Camp Cooke from the Department of the Army to the Air Force for use as the first operational prototype missile base..

• The first operational elements of the ballistic missile program established. - .

  Headquarters ARDC redesignated Headquarters, 1st Air Division, as Headquarters, 1st Missile Division. Headquarters, 392d Air Base Squadron, was reconstituted as Headquarters, 392d Air Base Group, at Camp Cooke, California, effective 15 April 1957. Both units were assigned to WDD.

• First ballistic missile operational units - .

  Headquarters, 1st Missile Division, was established at Los Angeles, California, and Headquarters, 392d ABG was established at Camp Cooke, Lompoc, California. These initial ballistic missile initial operational capability (IOC) and training units were assigned to WDD.

• Vandenberg AFB established by ARDC - . Nation: USA. Vandenberg AFB established by Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) on the north 64,047 acres (approximately 100 square miles) of what was then Camp Cooke..

• Start of new construction. - . Nation: USA. Start of new construction and major rehabilitation at Camp Cooke..

• First Atlas wing activated at Cooke AFB. - . Nation: USA. Air Research and Development Command activated the 704th Strategic Missile Wing (Atlas) at Cooke AFB..

• Headquarters, 704th Strategic Missile Wing (SMW), activated - . Headquarters, 704th Strategic Missile Wing (SMW), was activated and established at Cooke AFB, California, and assigned to AFBMD..

• Cooke AFB, California - . Headquarters, 1st Missile Division, was relocated to Cooke AFB, California, from AFBMD headquarters at Los Angeles..

• Cooke AFB transferred to SAC - . Nation: USA. Cooke AFB (with major operational and training units) transferred from Air Research and Development Command to Strategic Air Command. Launch facility construction as well as research and development activities at Cooke AFB were the responsibility of the A.

• Responsibility for ballistic missile IOC was transferred from ARDC (AFBMD) to SAC. - .

  At Cooke AFB, AFBMD retained responsibility for construction of technical facilities as well as research and development activities. At Los Angeles, the entire staff of AFBMD's Deputy Commander for Plans and Operations, under Colonel William R. Large, Jr., was transferred to man the new Office of the Assistant Commander-in-Chief, SAC (SAC/MIKE), that was established at AFBMD to manage IOC activities.

• Pacific Missile Range announced - . The Defense Department announced plans to establish the Pacific Missile Range (PMR) as part of the Naval Air Missile Test Center at Point Magu, California, and as a national range..

• 19,861 acres of Camp Cooke transferred to Navy - . Nation: USA. 19,861 acres of South Camp Cooke transferred from the Army to the Navy on interim permit basis (actual transfer on 27 May)..

• Joint Navy-Air Force Agreement defines PMR - . Nation: USA. The Joint Navy-Air Force (Burke-White) Agreement was completed. This agreement defined the areas of responsibility between the projected Pacific Missile Range and Cooke Air Force Base..

• U.S. Naval Missile Facility at Point Arguello - . Nation: USA. Establishment of the U.S. Naval Missile Facility at Point Arguello, the southern portion of former Camp Cooke (facility formally commissioned on 10 May)..

• Pacific Missile Range established - . The Pacific Missile Range (PMR) was officially established under Navy management at Point Mugu..

• Formal establishment of Pacific Missile Range - . Nation: USA. Formal establishment of the Navy's Pacific Missile Range (with its headquarters at Point Mugu and its major launch head at Point Arguello)..

• Cooke AFB redesignated Vandenberg AFB - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Vandenberg, Hoyt. Cooke AFB redesignated Vandenberg AFB, honoring the late General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the Air Force's second Chief of Staff..

• First missile launch from Vandenberg AFB - . Nation: USA. First missile launch from Vandenberg AFB - a Thor intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). The mission was a success..

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi). Two Thor shots, one from Cape Canaveral and one from Vandenberg AFB, were successful. Intermediate range ballistic missile portion of PMR was inaugurated with successful firing of USAF Thor from Vandenberg AFB..

• Vandenberg AFB / PMR operaitonal. - . Nation: USA. Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Pacific Missile Range declared officially operational for firings..

• Thor Agena test - . Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. COSPAR: F590121A. First flight test of Thor-Agena for KH program..

• The first operational Atlas missile accepted by the Air Force - . The first operational Atlas missile, 6D, was accepted by the Air Force from Convair. Subsequently, 6D was installed in the first Atlas complex, 65-1, at Vandenberg AFB during the first week of March..

• Discoverer 1 - . Payload: KH-1 prototype / Agena A 1022. Mass: 618 kg (1,362 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-03-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 13 . COSPAR: 1959-Beta-1. Apogee: 968 km (601 mi). Perigee: 163 km (101 mi). Inclination: 89.70 deg. Period: 96.00 min.

  In the first use of a Thor as a space booster, the world's first polar orbiting satellite, Discoverer I, was launched by a Thor/Agena (Thor 163) booster combination from Vandenberg AFB. The mission was also the first successful flight test of Lockheed's Agena A upper stage vehicle designed for orbiting U.S. satellite systems. First polar orbiting satellite; KH-1 prototype; did not carry camera or film capsule.

• Discoverer 2 - . Payload: KH-1 prototype / Agena A 1022. Mass: 743 kg (1,638 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-04-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 14 . COSPAR: 1959-Gamma-1. Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Perigee: 239 km (148 mi). Inclination: 89.90 deg. Period: 90.40 min.

  An Air Force Thor/Agena A booster vehicle lifted Discoverer II into orbit from Vandenberg AFB. Discoverer II became the world's first satellite to be stabilized in orbit in all three axes, to be maneuvered on command from earth, to separate a reentry vehicle on command, and to send its reentry vehicle back to earth. The capsule ejector system malfunctioned, causing the capsule to impact near Spitsbergen on 14 April rather than near Hawaii as planned. KH-1 prototype; tested capsule recovery techniques; did not carry camera; capsule recovery failed. Because of a timing error, the US believed that the capsule landed somewhere on the island of Spitsbergen, north of Norway, instead of landing in the recovery zone near Hawaii. The capsule was never found; and CIA officials suspect it may have been snatched by the Soviets. The search for this capsule formed the basis of the book and film 'Ice Station Zebra'.

  In the winter of 1960/1961, a US Discovery spy satellite capsule was found by loggers near Kalinin, 200 km north of Moscow. The loggers cracked it open with an axe. Sergei Khrushchev believed this to be the Discoverer 2 capsule. What was left was examined by Soviet engineers but didn't reveal much information - it was a polished aluminium sphere, 30 cm in diameter, gilded on the exterior. Some said it was found as early as the winter of 1959.

• IWST test flight - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi). The first Thor IRBM to be fired by a Royal Air Force (RAF) crew was launched from Vandenberg AFB. Integrated Weapon System Training 1. First Thor IRBM launched by British crew at Vandenberg AFB..

• Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Discoverer 3 - . Payload: KH-1 prototype / Agena A 1018. Mass: 753 kg (1,660 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-06-03 . KH-1 prototype; did not carry camera; film capsule recovery failed..

• SRV - . Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1.

• IWST test flight - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). Integrated Weapon System Training Launch 2.

• Discoverer 4 - . Payload: KH-1 9001. Mass: 743 kg (1,638 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-06-25 . COSPAR: F590625A. KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance. Failed to achieve orbit..

• SRV 102 - . Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. COSPAR: F590625B.

• Radar beacon test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• Satellite Control Facility established. - . Headquarters ARDC established the 6596th Instrumentation Squadron (Satellite Control Facility) at Vandenberg AFB, California, and assigned it to the 6594th Test Wing..

• Solar x-ray mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• Solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 227 km (141 mi).

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Solar x-ray mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi).

• Ultraviolet Scanner test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Discoverer 5 - . Payload: KH-1 9002 / Agena A 1029. Mass: 781 kg (1,721 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-09-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 18 . COSPAR: 1959-Epsilon-1. Apogee: 731 km (454 mi). Perigee: 214 km (132 mi). Inclination: 79.90 deg. Period: 94.10 min. KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance; film capsule boosted into higher orbit, decayed 2/11/61. Mission failed. Power supply failure. No recovery..

• Discoverer 5 Capsule - . Payload: KH-1 9002 Capsule. Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1961-02-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 26 . COSPAR: 1959-Epsilon-2. Apogee: 1,700 km (1,000 mi). Perigee: 218 km (135 mi). Inclination: 78.90 deg. Period: 104.30 min. KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance; film capsule boosted into higher orbit, decayed 2/11/61. Mission failed. Power supply failure. No recovery..

• Solar x-ray mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 237 km (147 mi).

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Discoverer 6 - . Payload: KH-1 9003 / Agena A 1028. Mass: 783 kg (1,726 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-10-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 19 . COSPAR: 1959-Zeta-1. Apogee: 846 km (525 mi). Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Inclination: 83.90 deg. Period: 95.10 min. KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance; film capsule recovery failed. Mission failed. Retro rockets malfunctioned negating recovery..

• Solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Solar x-ray mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 214 km (132 mi).

• LC 576A at Vandenberg first fully operational ICBM complex. - . Complex 576A (65-1) at Vandenberg AFB was transferred to SAC and thus became the first fully operational ICBM complex..

• Sunflare II Solar x-ray / solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Atlas D ICBM operational. - . Nation: USA. USAF Atlas ICBM officially declared operational and taken over by the Strategic Air Command, at Vandenberg AFB..

• Solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Ionosphere / plasma / solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi).

• Solar mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Atlas ICBM initial operational capability demonstration launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

  A SAC crew conducted the first west coast launch of an Atlas operational configuration missile, 12D, from Vandenberg AFB, to a target near Wake Island, Afterward, General Thomas S. Power, CINCSAC, declared the Atlas system to be operational. This marked the attainment of operational status for the Atlas one year earlier than the six years that the von Neumann Committee had projected in its February 1954 report.

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi). A Thor/Able II booster carrying the Navy's Transit IA navigation satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral. A third stage malfunction prevented the satellite from achieving orbit. .

• Ultraviolet Scanner test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Discoverer 7 - . Payload: KH-1 9004 / Agena A 1051. Mass: 794 kg (1,750 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: DARPA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1959-11-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 24 . COSPAR: 1959-Kappa-1. Apogee: 820 km (500 mi). Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 94.40 min. KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance; satellite tumbled; film capsule not recovered. Mission failed. Failed to achieve orbit..

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Discoverer 8 - . Payload: KH-1 9005 / Agena A 1050. Mass: 795 kg (1,752 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-03-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 25 . COSPAR: 1959-Lambda-1. Apogee: 1,661 km (1,032 mi). Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Inclination: 80.50 deg. Period: 103.50 min. KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance; film capsule recovery failed. Mission failed. Eccentric orbit negating recovery..

• First American ICBM put on strategic offensive alert - . One Atlas D missile at Vandenberg complex 576A was maintained in a state of operational readiness during the month. This marked the introduction of the ICBM into the U.S. strategic offensive alert..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• IWST - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Initial operational capability demonstration launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). Two Atlas ICBMs launched within two hours - one by SAC at VAFB, one by GD/A at AMR; both successful..

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Discoverer 9 - . Payload: KH-1 9006. Mass: 765 kg (1,686 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-02-04 . KH-1; 1st generation low resolution photo surveillance. Mission failed..

• SRV 113 - . Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1.

• Discoverer 10 - . Payload: KH-1 9007. Mass: 765 kg (1,686 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-02-19 . KH-1; Mission failed..

• SRV 110 - . Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1.

• Three Atlas missiles in semi-readiness - . Three Atlas missiles were placed in semi-readiness at Vandenberg AFB..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Discoverer 11 - . Payload: KH-1 9008 / Agena A 1055. Mass: 790 kg (1,740 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-04-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 32 . COSPAR: 1960-Delta-1. Apogee: 603 km (374 mi). Perigee: 166 km (103 mi). Inclination: 80.40 deg. Period: 92.20 min. KH-1; film capsule recovery failed. Mission failed. Attitude control system malfunctioned..

• Initial operational capability operational readiness test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). SAC crews successfully fired the first Atlas missile (25D) to be launched from an operational horizontal "coffin" missile storage/launcher facility at Vandenberg AFB. .

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Initial operational capability operational readiness test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Discoverer 12 - . Payload: KH-1 prototype. Mass: 790 kg (1,740 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-06-29 . KH-1 prototype; designed to test capsule recovery system; did not carry camera..

• SRV - . Mass: 779 kg (1,717 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1.

• Major expansion of Pacific Missile Range - . Nation: USA. Major expansion of Pacific Missile Range with acquisition of Eniwetok and Kwajalein Atolls in the Marshall Islands by the United States Navy for instrumentation complexes (in support of Air Force launches from Vandenberg AFB)..

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Atlas F squadron 576A activated at Vandenberg AFB. - . The 576A Strategic Missile Squadron (Atlas F) was activated at Vandenberg AFB and assigned to SAC's First Missile Division..

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

• Initial operational capability operational readiness test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

• Atlas D squadron 576B activated at Vandenberg AFB. - .

• TV-1 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN NOTS. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). Research and Development Flight (TV-1).

• Discoverer 13 - . Payload: KH-1 prototype / Agena A 1057. Mass: 850 kg (1,870 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-11-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 48 . COSPAR: 1960-Theta-1. Apogee: 683 km (424 mi). Perigee: 258 km (160 mi). Inclination: 82.80 deg. Period: 94.00 min.

  A Thor/Agena A launched from Vandenberg AFB placed Discoverer XIII in orbit. On 11 August, the data capsule was ejected during the 17th pass and recovered Pacific Ocean near Hawaii by a Navy helicopter that was part of the 6593d Test Squadron's task force. Although the planned mid-air recovery was not made, the return of Discoverer XIII1s data capsule marked the first successful recovery of a man-made object ejected from an orbiting satellite. KH-1 prototype; designed to test capsule recovery system; did not carry camera; capsule successfully recovered from ocean.

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Discoverer 14 - . Payload: KH-1 9009 / Agena A 1056. Mass: 850 kg (1,870 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-09-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 54 . COSPAR: 1960-Kappa-1. Apogee: 803 km (498 mi). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Inclination: 79.60 deg. Period: 94.40 min. Discoverer XIV was launched from Vandenberg AFB aboard a Thor/Agena A booster.' KH-1; film capsule recovered 1.2 days later; 1st successful photosurveillance mission. First successful mission. Cameras operated satisfactorily..

• Initial operational capability demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Discoverer 15 - . Payload: KH-1 9010 / Agena A 1058. Mass: 863 kg (1,902 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-1. Decay Date: 1960-10-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 57 . COSPAR: 1960-Mu-1. Apogee: 755 km (469 mi). Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Inclination: 80.90 deg. Period: 94.10 min. KH-1; film capsule lost at sea. Mission failed. Attained orbit successfully. Capsule sank prior to retrieval..

• NERV I Cosmic rays mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,884 km (1,170 mi).

• Initial operational capability demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Samos 1 - . Payload: Samos E-1 no. 1. Mass: 1,845 kg (4,067 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1960-10-11 . First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Initial operational capability demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

• TV-2 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN NOTS. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). Research and Development Flight (TV-2).

• Discoverer 16 - . Payload: KH-2 9011. Mass: 1,091 kg (2,405 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1960-10-26 . KH-1; mission failed..

• SRV 506 - . Mass: 1,146 kg (2,526 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2.

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Discoverer 17 - . Payload: KH-2 9012 / Agena B 1062. Mass: 1,091 kg (2,405 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1960-12-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 61 . COSPAR: 1960-Omicron-1. Apogee: 984 km (611 mi). Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Inclination: 81.70 deg. Period: 96.40 min.

  The second Thor/Agena B to be launched from Vandenberg AFB was the first successful flight of the more advanced Lockheed Agena B upper stage. KH-1; film capsule recovered 2.1 days later. Mission failed. Obtained orbit successfully. Film separated before any camera operation leaving only 1.7 ft of film in capsule. On December 2, the Air Force revealed that exceedingly valuable information had been obtained from human tissues carried by Discoverer 17 (the cover story for the mission). The tissues had been exposed to an unexpectedly heavy dose of radiation for more than 50 hours in flight.

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• Mk 4 re-entry vehicle test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• PHOENIX I Ionosphere mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 367 km (228 mi).

• Discoverer 18 - . Payload: KH-2 9013 / Agena B 1103. Mass: 1,240 kg (2,730 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1961-04-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 67 . COSPAR: 1960-Sigma-1. Apogee: 510 km (310 mi). Perigee: 233 km (144 mi). Inclination: 81.50 deg. Period: 92.00 min. KH-2; film capsule recovered 3.1 days later. First successful mission employing KH-2 camera system..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). The first ICBM operational reentry vehicle ever recovered was fished out of the Eniwetok Lagoon five days later..

• Discoverer 19 - . Payload: Midas test payload. Mass: 1,060 kg (2,330 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. Decay Date: 1961-01-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 68 . COSPAR: 1960-Tau-1. Apogee: 359 km (223 mi). Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Inclination: 83.40 deg. Period: 90.00 min. A Thor/Agena B vehicle successfully launched Discoverer XIX into a polar orbit from Vandenberg AFB. The spacecraft carried a Project MIDAS test payload. Tested IR sensors for Midas program; did not carry camera or film capsule. .

• Operational ICBM RV recovered. - . The first ICBM operational reentry vehicle ever recovered was fished out of the Eniwetok Lagoon. It had been launched by an Atlas D from Vandenberg AFB on 16 December..

• Samos 2 - . Payload: Samos E-1 no. 2. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1973-10-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 70 . COSPAR: 1961-Alpha-1. Apogee: 557 km (346 mi). Perigee: 474 km (294 mi). Inclination: 97.40 deg. Period: 95.00 min.

  An Air Force Atlas D/Agena A was launched from Vandenberg and successfully placed the SAMOS II satellite into orbit. This was the last Air Force use of an Agena A upper stage vehicle. First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; micrometeoroid impact data. Poor results.

• Discoverer 20 - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9014A / Agena B 1104. Mass: 1,110 kg (2,440 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1962-07-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 83 . COSPAR: 1961-Epsilon-1. Apogee: 491 km (305 mi). Perigee: 277 km (172 mi). Inclination: 80.80 deg. Period: 92.30 min. KH-5; film capsule not ejected. Mission failed. Program malfunctioned and capsule did not reenter. First attempted ARGON mission. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• SRV 520 - . Mass: 1,274 kg (2,808 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1961-10-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 90 . COSPAR: 1961-Epsilon-4. Apogee: 327 km (203 mi). Perigee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 80.70 deg. Period: 91.00 min.

• Discoverer 21 - . Payload: Midas test payload. Mass: 1,110 kg (2,440 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. Decay Date: 1962-04-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 84 . COSPAR: 1961-Zeta-1. Apogee: 458 km (284 mi). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Inclination: 80.60 deg. Period: 91.30 min. Tested IR sensors for Midas program; did not carry camera or film capsule..

• First Titan in-silo captive test firing - . The first Titan in-silo captive test firing took place at the Silo Launch Test Facility at Vandenberg'AFB, California..

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Discoverer 22 - . Payload: KH-2 9015. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1961-03-30 . KH-2; Mission failed..

• SRV 509 - . Mass: 1,146 kg (2,526 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2.

• Discoverer 23 - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9016A / Agena B 1106 / Capsule SRV 521. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1962-04-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 100 . COSPAR: 1961-Lambda-1. Apogee: 651 km (404 mi). Perigee: 295 km (183 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 94.10 min. KH-5; film capsule boosted into higher orbit, decayed 5/23/62. Mission failed. Loss of satellite control gas caused unstable condition. No recovery. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• Demonstration launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). The 6565th Test Wing (Development) successfully conducted the first launch of a Titan (VS-1) from an underground silo at Vandenberg AFB. The nation's first silo launch of a Titan I at Vandenberg AFB..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Atlas 27E was to be the first Series E operational test launch (OTL) from Vandenberg. However, the missile self-destructed over the launch pad due to a first stage engine failure at T+4 seconds. First E launched at SMS 576 from OSTF-1, unsuccessful.

• Discoverer 24 - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9018A. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1961-06-08 . KH-5. Mission failed..

• SRV 541 - . Mass: 1,274 kg (2,808 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5.

• Discoverer 25 - . Payload: KH-2 9017 / Agena B 1107. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1961-07-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 108 . COSPAR: 1961-Xi-1. Apogee: 404 km (251 mi). Perigee: 222 km (137 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 90.80 min. KH-2; film capsule recovered 2.1 days later. Capsule recovered from water on orbit 32. Streaks throughout film..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• First Atlas E operational complex - .

  Complex 576C (576C Strategic Missile Squadron), the first Atlas E operational complex, was transferred to SAC at Vandenberg AFB. The 576C consisted of one above ground horizontal coffin storage/launcher hardened to withstand 25 pounds per-square inch (psi).

• Discoverer 26 - . Payload: KH-2 9019 / Agena B 1109. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1961-12-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 160 . COSPAR: 1961-Pi-1. Apogee: 803 km (498 mi). Perigee: 228 km (141 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 94.90 min. KH-2; film capsule recovered 2.1 days later. Main camera malfunctioned on pass 22..

• Midas 3 - . Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1201. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. USAF Sat Cat: 163 . COSPAR: 1961-Sigma-1. Apogee: 3,540 km (2,190 mi). Perigee: 3,343 km (2,077 mi). Inclination: 91.20 deg. Period: 161.40 min.

  MIDAS III (Missile Defense Alarm System) satellite was launched into polar orbit from Vandenberg AFB by the first Atlas D/Agena B booster (97D/#1201). This vehicle achieved a record 1,850-mile orbit and was the heaviest U.S. satellite put up to date. Missile Defense Alarm System.

• Discoverer 27 - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9020A. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1961-07-21 . KH-5; destroyed by range safety. Mission failed..

• SRV 524 - . Mass: 1,274 kg (2,808 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5.

• Test / geodetic mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• Discoverer 28 - . Payload: KH-2 9021. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2. Decay Date: 1961-08-03 . KH-2; Mission failed..

• SRV 512 - . Mass: 1,146 kg (2,526 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-2.

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

  The launch of Atlas 101D from Vandenberg AFB completed the initial operational capability (IOC) launch series for the Atlas D ICBM. In 11 launches, only five missiles were successful. The launch of Atlas 101D from Vandenberg AFB completed the initial operational capability (IOC) launch series for the Atlas D ICBM. In 11 launches, only five missiles were successful.

• Discoverer 29 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9023 / Agena B 1112. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1961-09-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 181 . COSPAR: 1961-Psi-1. Apogee: 542 km (336 mi). Perigee: 152 km (94 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 91.50 min. KH-3; film capsule recovered 2.1 days later. First use of KH-3 camera system. All frames out of focus..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Samos 3 - . Payload: Samos E-2 no. 1. Mass: 1,890 kg (4,160 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1961-09-09 . First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images..

• Discoverer 30 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9022 / Agena B 1113. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1961-12-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 182 . COSPAR: 1961-Omega-1. Apogee: 557 km (346 mi). Perigee: 219 km (136 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 92.30 min. KH-3; film capsule recovered 2.1 days later. Best mission to date. Same out-of-focus condition as in 9023..

• Discoverer 31 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9024 / Agena B 1114. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1961-10-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 186 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Beta-1. Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Perigee: 231 km (143 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 90.80 min. KH-3; film capsule recovery failed. Mission failed. Power failure and loss of control gas on orbit 33..

• Mk 4 re-entry vehicle research and development mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Launched from Titan II silo.

• Test / aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN NOTS. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• Discoverer 32 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9025 / Agena B 1115. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1961-11-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 189 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Gamma-1. Apogee: 391 km (242 mi). Perigee: 233 km (144 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 90.70 min. The 100th successful firing of a Thor placed Discoverer XXXII in orbit. KH-3; film capsule recovered 1.1 days later. Capsule recovered on orbit 18. 96% of film out of focus..

• Midas 4 - . Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1202. Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. USAF Sat Cat: 192 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Delta-1. Apogee: 3,763 km (2,338 mi). Perigee: 3,482 km (2,163 mi). Inclination: 95.90 deg. Period: 165.90 min. Missile Defense Alarm System. Deployed subsatellites..

• Westford - . Payload: Westford. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft: WestFord Needles. USAF Sat Cat: 194 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Delta-3. Apogee: 3,963 km (2,462 mi). Perigee: 3,252 km (2,020 mi). Inclination: 95.85 deg. Period: 165.51 min.

• Discoverer 33 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9026. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1961-10-23 . KH-3; Mission failed..

• SRV 513 - . Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3.

• Discoverer 34 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9027 / Agena B 1117. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1962-12-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 197 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Epsilon-1. Apogee: 859 km (533 mi). Perigee: 231 km (143 mi). Inclination: 82.40 deg. Period: 95.60 min. KH-3; film capsule recovery not attempted. Mission failed. Improper launch angle resulted in extreme orbit..

• SRV 553 - . Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. COSPAR: 1961-A-Epsilon-x.

• BIOS I Biological mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,057 km (656 mi).

• Discoverer 35 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9028 / Agena B 1118. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1961-12-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 201 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Zeta-1. Apogee: 278 km (172 mi). Perigee: 238 km (147 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 89.70 min. KH-3; film capsule recovered 1.1 days later. All cameras operated satisfactorily. Grainy emulsion noted..

• BIOS I Biological mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,057 km (656 mi).

• Samos 4 - . Payload: Samos E-5 no. 1. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1961-11-22 . Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). First generation photo surveillance; return of camera and film by capsule; SAMOS type satellite..

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). Atlas D (53D) was the first missile to be launched by SAC from Vandenberg in the operation test (Category III) launch program. .

• Magnetosphere mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 44,400 km (27,500 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Project CAMBRIDGE Geodetic mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 2,190 km (1,360 mi).

• Discoverer 36 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9029 / Agena B 1119. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1962-03-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 213 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Kappa-1. Apogee: 173 km (107 mi). Perigee: 131 km (81 mi). Inclination: 89.50 deg. Period: 87.50 min. KH-3; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Best mission to date..

• Oscar 1 - . Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: Oscar. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur radio communications satellite. Spacecraft: Oscar. Decay Date: 1962-01-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 214 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Kappa-2. Apogee: 474 km (294 mi). Perigee: 245 km (152 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 91.80 min.

  The first Oscar Phase I amateur satellite was launched piggyback with Discover 36. A group of enthusiasts in California formed Project OSCAR and persuaded the United States Air Force to replace ballast on the Agena upper stage with the 4.5 kg OSCAR I package. The satellite was box shaped with a single monopole antenna and battery powered. The 140 mW transmitter onboard discharged its batteries after three weeks. 570 Amateurs in 28 countries reported receiving its simple 'HI-HI' morse code signals on the VHF 2 meter band (144.983 MHz) until January 1, 1962. The speed of the HI-HI message was controlled by a temperature sensor inside the spacecraft. OSCAR I re-entered the atmosphere January 31, 1962 after 312 revolutions. Additional Details: here....

• Samos 5 - . Payload: Samos E-5 no. 2. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-01-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 218 . COSPAR: 1961-A-Lambda-2. Apogee: 310 km (190 mi). Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Inclination: 89.60 deg. Period: 89.40 min.

  First generation photo surveillance; return of camera and film by capsule; SAMOS type satellite. Reached orbit but failed to deorbit and be recovered. In his memoirs Sergei Khrushchev recounts recovery of what he believed to be a recoverable Samos, except the date given is the winter before tests of this configuration actually started. He relates that a second American capsule was recovered in the spring of 1961. It was equipped with a 30 cm lens and 100's of metres of 10 cm wide film. Also recovered were a pear-shaped module made of fibreglass, and an inertial orientation system powered by electric motors. It may have been a SAMOS prototype. The capsule was found by tractor drivers, who disassembled it and used the film to wrap around the frame of their outhouse to provide some privacy in the treeless area. Unfortunately this ruined the film, preventing the Russians from developing it and discovering the technical capabilities of the system.

• Discoverer 37 - . Payload: KH-3 s/n 9030. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3. Decay Date: 1962-01-13 . KH-3. Mission failed. Last attempted flight of KH-3 series..

• SRV 571 - . Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-3.

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Demo - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Titan II explodes in first silo test - . The 6595th Aerospace Test Wing at Vandenberg AFB conducted the first and development test missile (N-7) from an underground silo. In this first silo launch of a Titan II, the missile destroyed itself .

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Ferret 1 - . Payload: Ferret 1 / Agena B 2301. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1962-03-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 242 . COSPAR: 1962-Delta-1. Apogee: 219 km (136 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 88.30 min.

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Research and development Cat II / operational test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

• 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..

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,600 km (900 mi).

• Samos 6 - . Payload: Samos E-5 no. 3. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1963-06-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 259 . COSPAR: 1962-Eta-3. Apogee: 686 km (426 mi). Perigee: 236 km (146 mi). Inclination: 90.90 deg. Period: 93.90 min. First generation photo surveillance; return of camera and film by capsule; SAMOS type satellite. Failed to return camera and film. Samos film return project cancelled; remaining 4 cameras placed in warehouse and later used on KH-6 Lanyard..

• Vista-300 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

  An Air Force crew launched Atlas 134D during the visit of President John F. Kennedy to Cape Canaveral. This was the first time that a President had witnessed a live ICBM launch. President John F. Kennedy visited Vandenberg AFB and witnessed the launch of Atlas 134D.

• Test / aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN NOTS. Apogee: 21 km (13 mi).

• Midas 5 - . Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1203. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. USAF Sat Cat: 271 . COSPAR: 1962-Kappa-1. Apogee: 3,405 km (2,115 mi). Perigee: 2,784 km (1,729 mi). Inclination: 86.70 deg. Period: 152.90 min. Missile Defense Alarm System..

• West Ford Drag - . Payload: West Ford Drag Experiment. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft: WestFord Needles. Decay Date: 1962-05-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 272 . COSPAR: 1962-Kappa-2. Apogee: 2,729 km (1,695 mi). Perigee: 99 km (61 mi). Inclination: 86.64 deg. Period: 114.09 min.

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• 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..

• First Scout launch from Vandenberg - . The first Scout vehicle (#111) was launched from Vandenberg AFB and carried the Navy's Solar Radiation (SOLRAD 4B) payload. However, a third stage failure resulted in payload impact 225-NM downrange..

• First West Coast launch of a Scout space booster. - . Nation: USA.

• Solrad 4B - . Payload: Grab E. Mass: 91 kg (200 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: GRAB. Decay Date: 1962-04-26 .

  The first Scout vehicle (#111) was launched from Vandenberg AFB and carried the Navy's Solar Radiation (SOLRAD 4B) payload (which was actually the last classified Grab ELINT satellite). However, a third stage failure resulted in payload impact 225-NM downrange. Solar radiation monitor.

• Samos 7 - . Payload: Samos E-6 no. 1 / Agena B 2401. Mass: 1,588 kg (3,500 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-04-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 286 . COSPAR: 1962-Pi-1. Second generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results..

• FTV 2401 RV - . Payload: E-6 RV. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. COSPAR: 1962-Pi-xx.

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• 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..

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Titan I flight test missile was the 100th major space and ballistic vehicle to be launched from Vandenberg AFB since 16 December 1958. A total of 21 Thors, 32 Atlases, 5 Titans, and 42 space boosters had been launched from the base..

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• KH-5 9034A - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9034A/Agena B 1126. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1963-11-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 292 . COSPAR: 1962-Sigma-1. Apogee: 550 km (340 mi). Perigee: 283 km (175 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 93.00 min. KH-5; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. First successful KH-5 mission. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• P 35-1 - . Payload: FTV 3501. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Program: DMSP. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Program 35. Decay Date: 1962-05-24 . Military weather satellite to provide targetting information for reconnaisance satellites..

• 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..

• ERCS/279L 1 Communications mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 830 km (510 mi).

• 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..

• Oscar 2 - . Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: Oscar. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur radio communications satellite. Spacecraft: Oscar. Decay Date: 1962-06-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 305 . COSPAR: 1962-Chi-2. Apogee: 339 km (210 mi). Perigee: 188 km (116 mi). Inclination: 74.20 deg. Period: 89.80 min.

  OSCAR II was launched piggyback with a United States Air Force satellite. OSCAR II was very similar to OSCAR I. Differences included (1) changing the surface thermal coatings to achieve a cooler internal spacecraft environment, (2) modifying the sensing system so the satellite temperature could be measured accurately as the batteries decayed, and (3) lowering the transmitter power output to 100 mW to extend the life of the onboard battery. OSCAR II lasted 18 days ceasing operation on June 20, 1962 and re-entered June 21, 1962.

• Samos 8 - . Payload: Samos E-2 no. 2 / Agena B 2402. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-06-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 307 . COSPAR: 1962-Psi-1. Apogee: 198 km (123 mi). Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Inclination: 96.20 deg. Period: 88.40 min. First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results..

• FTV 2402 RV - . Payload: E-6 RV. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. COSPAR: 1962-Psi-xx.

• Ferret 2 - . Payload: Ferret 2 / Agena B 2312. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1963-10-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 308 . COSPAR: 1962-Omega-2. Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Perigee: 347 km (215 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 91.80 min.

• FTV 2312 - . Payload: Ferret 2. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1963-10-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 308 . COSPAR: 1962-Omega-1. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi). Perigee: 161 km (100 mi). Inclination: 82.20 deg. Period: 87.80 min.

• Combat training launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi). A Royal Air Force crew launched the 22d and last operational test Thor IRBM (PGM-17A) from Vandenberg AFB. First launch and first missile was fired from Vandenberg AFB on 16 December 1958.

• 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..

• NTMP K-1 Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). K-1 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM. First launch of an Atlas from Vandenberg AFB as a target for an Army Nike-Zeus from Kwajalein..

• 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.

• Magnetosphere mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: AEC. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi).

• Magnetosphere mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). After two consecutive failures, the first successful launch and flight by an Atlas E (67E) from Vandenberg AFB took place. .

• Samos 9 - . Payload: Samos E-2 no. 3 / Agena B 2403. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-07-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 342 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Zeta-1. Apogee: 234 km (145 mi). Perigee: 184 km (114 mi). Inclination: 96.00 deg. Period: 88.60 min. First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results..

• FTV 2403 RV - . Payload: E-6 RV. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-07-27 . USAF Sat Cat: 343 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Zeta-2. Apogee: 215 km (133 mi). Perigee: 163 km (101 mi). Inclination: 96.10 deg. Period: 88.30 min.

• NTMP K-2 Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). K-2 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM. Date differs in records..

• 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..

• ERCS / 279L 2 Communications mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Test / aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN NOTS. Apogee: 1,166 km (724 mi).

• 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..

• Research and development test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi). The first Atlas F missile (15F) was launched from Vandenberg on an operational test flight. First successful Atlas F flight at operational site, SMS 576E (15F).

• 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..

• Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• Samos 10 - . Payload: Samos E-6 no. 2 / Agena B 2404. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-08-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 361 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Lambda-2. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Inclination: 96.20 deg. Period: 88.50 min. Second generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results..

• FTV 2404 - . Payload: AFP-201 PVP 854. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-08-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 361 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Lambda-1. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 96.30 deg. Period: 88.50 min.

• FTV 2404 RV - . Payload: E-6 RV. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. COSPAR: 1962-A-Lambda-xx.

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• P 35-2 - . Mass: 91 kg (200 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: DMSP. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Program 35. USAF Sat Cat: 369 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Omicron-1. Apogee: 752 km (467 mi). Perigee: 578 km (359 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 98.10 min. Military weather satellite to provide targetting information for reconnaisance satellites..

• 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-5 9042A - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9042A/Agena B 1132. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1964-10-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 385 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Upsilon-1. Apogee: 639 km (397 mi). Perigee: 293 km (182 mi). Inclination: 82.80 deg. Period: 94.00 min. KH-5. Mission failed. Parachute shrouds parted during air catch, capsule sank. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• SRV 600 - . Mass: 1,274 kg (2,808 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. COSPAR: 1962-A-Upsilon-x.

• 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..

• TRS - . Payload: ERS 2. Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: ERS. COSPAR: 1962-A-Chi-xx.

• First international satellite launch - Vandenberg - . Nation: USA.

• Research and development Category I test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). The first R&D Category I launch of a Wing I configuration Minuteman missile (LGM-30A), from Vandenberg AFB was completed. Initial launch of a Minuteman I from Vandenberg.

• Alouette 1 - . Payload: Alouette 1 / TAVE. Mass: 145 kg (319 lb). Nation: Canada. Agency: Clemson. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Alouette. USAF Sat Cat: 424 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Alpha-1. Apogee: 1,022 km (635 mi). Perigee: 987 km (613 mi). Inclination: 80.50 deg. Period: 105.20 min. Ionospheric research. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

• TAVE - . Payload: TAVE. Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Spacecraft: TAVE. USAF Sat Cat: 426 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Alpha-2. Apogee: 1,019 km (633 mi). Perigee: 993 km (617 mi). Inclination: 80.50 deg. Period: 105.20 min. Thor Agena Vibration Experiment.

• 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..

• Operational test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Operational test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Operational test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Operational test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• NTMP K-3 Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• KH-5 9046A - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9046A/Agena B 1134. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1962-10-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 436 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Epsilon-1. Apogee: 427 km (265 mi). Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 91.00 min. KH-5; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. 50% of stellar terrain film was blank due to shutter malfunction. Officially: Spacecraft Engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• SRV 603 - . Mass: 1,274 kg (2,808 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. COSPAR: 1962-B-Epsilon-x.

• NTMP K-5 / Pod 20 Target - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). Atlas 159D was launched from Vandenberg AFB carrying the first payload in the Ballistic Systems Division's Nike Targets program in support of the Army's Nike-X anti-ballistic missile development effort. .

• Starfish Radiation 1 - . Payload: Star-Rad 1 / Agena D 1401. Mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Starfish. Decay Date: 1967-10-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 444 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Kappa-1. Apogee: 5,458 km (3,391 mi). Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Inclination: 71.40 deg. Period: 146.50 min. Artificial radiation data..

• 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.

• Samos 11 - . Payload: Samos E-6 no. 3 / TRS 1 / Agena B 2405. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. Decay Date: 1962-11-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 455 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Pi-1. Apogee: 292 km (181 mi). Perigee: 128 km (79 mi). Inclination: 96.00 deg. Period: 88.70 min. Second generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results. SAMOS project cancelled..

• FTV 2405 RV - . Payload: E-6 RV. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Samos. COSPAR: 1962-B-Pi-xx.

• TRS 1 - . Payload: ERS 1. Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: ERS. COSPAR: 1962-B-Pi-xx.

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• ERCS / 279L 3 Communications mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• 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..

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Research and development Category I test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

• NTMP K-6 Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). K-6 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..

• Vista-300 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

• Black Sphere - . Payload: NRL PL120 / Poppy 1A (Poppy 20-inch). Mass: 23 kg (50 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF, USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. Decay Date: 1967-02-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 502 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Tau-1. Apogee: 2,385 km (1,481 mi). Perigee: 230 km (140 mi). Inclination: 70.30 deg. Period: 111.80 min. First launch of a pair of Poppy naval signals intelligence satellites, which would lead to the NOSS production series..

• Calsphere 1A - . Mass: 23 kg (50 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF, USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval signals intelligence satellite. Spacecraft: Calsphere. Decay Date: 1967-02-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 513 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Tau-5. Apogee: 2,069 km (1,285 mi). Perigee: 228 km (141 mi). Inclination: 70.30 deg. Period: 108.40 min. Surveillance calibration..

• SURCAL 1A - . Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF, USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Radar calibration target. Spacecraft: SURCAL. Decay Date: 1966-01-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 508 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Tau-4. Apogee: 2,160 km (1,340 mi). Perigee: 227 km (141 mi). Inclination: 70.30 deg. Period: 109.30 min. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

• Injun 3 - . Mass: 52 kg (114 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF, USN. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Injun. Decay Date: 1968-08-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 504 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Tau-2. Apogee: 2,406 km (1,495 mi). Perigee: 240 km (140 mi). Inclination: 70.30 deg. Period: 112.10 min. Radiation decay data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

• SURCAL 2A - . Payload: NRL PL121 / Poppy 1B (Poppy 20-inch). Mass: 3.00 kg (6.60 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF, USN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Naval SIGINT. Spacecraft: Poppy. Decay Date: 1963-07-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 507 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Tau-3. Apogee: 2,762 km (1,716 mi). Perigee: 222 km (137 mi). Inclination: 70.20 deg. Period: 115.80 min. Poppy naval signals intelligence satellite. Officially: Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..

• 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..

• Midas 6 - . Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1205. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. Decay Date: 1962-12-17 . Missile Defense Alarm System. Carried ERS-3, ERS-4 subsatellites..

• TRS 3 - . Payload: ERS 3. Mass: 1,840 kg (4,050 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas.

• TRS 4 - . Payload: ERS 4. Mass: 1,840 kg (4,050 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas.

• NTMP K-4 ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• Ion Engine Test A Technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 2,000 km (1,200 mi).

  When the high-voltage power supplies were first turned-on, intermittent high-voltage breakdowns occurred, and the beam power supply became inoperative. Post-flight examination of the power supply indicated the high-voltage breakdowns were probably caused by pressure buildup in the primary propulsion unit due to gas vented from the spacecraft batteries. The primary propulsion unit high voltage section was not adequately vented to keep the pressure low enough. Engine thrusting was not accomplished in this test.

• Transit 5A - . Payload: Transit 5A-1. Mass: 61 kg (134 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Program: Transit. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Transit. Decay Date: 1986-09-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 509 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Psi-1. Apogee: 347 km (215 mi). Perigee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 90.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min. First operational solar-powered prototype; failed first day. The satellite verified a new technique for deploying the solar panels and for separating from the rocket, but otherwise it was not successful because of trouble with the power system..

• NTMP K-7 / Pod 4 ABM sensor test / plume characterization mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 2,259 km (1,403 mi). K-7 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..

• 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..

• OPS 0180 - . Payload: Ferret 3 / Agena B 2313. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Ferret. Decay Date: 1969-01-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 527 . COSPAR: 1963-003A. Apogee: 522 km (324 mi). Perigee: 461 km (286 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 94.40 min.

• NTMP K-9/OT ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• Research and development Category II test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• NTMP K-12 ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• ERCS 279L Communications mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Electron Spectrometer Magnetospheric mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,675 km (1,040 mi).

• NTMP K-8 / NC20.133 ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). K-8 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..

• Awful Tired - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). Research and development launch - Mk 6 re-entry vehicle.

• P 35-3 - . Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: DMSP. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Program 35. Decay Date: 1979-12-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 533 . COSPAR: 1963-005A. Apogee: 810 km (500 mi). Perigee: 488 km (303 mi). Inclination: 100.50 deg. Period: 97.80 min. Military weather satellite to provide targetting information for reconnaisance satellites..

• First use of a Thrust-Augmented-Thor/Agena - . Nation: USA. First use of a Thrust-Augmented-Thor/Agena space booster at Vandenberg..

• NTMP K-10 ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). K-10 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..

• 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.

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

• ERCS 279L Communications mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• TALL TREE 1 operational test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• OT TALL TREE 5 operational test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi).

• NTMP K-14/NC20.145 Target/Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• KH-6 8001 - . Payload: KH-6 s/n 8001. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-6. Decay Date: 1963-03-18 . First launch of KH-6. Mission failed..

• P-11 - . Payload: P-11. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Spacecraft: P 11.

• P-11 No. 1 - . Payload: P-11 No. 1. Mass: 80 kg (176 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft Bus: P 11. Spacecraft: SSF. Decay Date: 1963-03-18 . Ferret subsatellite aboard first launch of KH-6. Mission failed..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi).

• OT TALL TREE 4 operational test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• NTMP K-17 Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). K-17 Nike-Zeus intercept of Titan I ICBM..

• 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..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• Transit 5A-2 - . Payload: Transit 5A-2. Mass: 84 kg (185 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: Transit. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Transit. Decay Date: 1963-04-05 . Replacement for the failed Transit 5A; failed to reach orbit..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). The first successful launch of a fully operational Minuteman missile from Vandenberg by an Air Force crew was completed under simulated operational conditions. .

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• NTMP K-21 Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). K-21 Nike-Zeus intercept of Titan I ICBM..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,600 km (900 mi). First successful E missile from OSTF-1, SMS 576.

• P 35-4 - . Payload: OPS 1298. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: DMSP. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Program 35. Decay Date: 1963-04-26 . Military weather satellite to provide targetting information for reconnaisance satellites..

• KH-5 9055A - . Payload: KH-5 s/n 9055A. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: KH-5. Decay Date: 1963-04-26 . Mission failed..

• Dinner Party - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

  Titan II (N-8) was the second research and development missile and the first successful flight test vehicle to be launched from a silo at Vandenberg AFB. This was the first successful Titan II launch and flight after three consecutive failures, one (N-7) at Vandenberg and two (N-18 and N-21) at the Atlantic range. Research and development launch. Mk 6 re-entry vehicle.

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. The Titan I research and development flight test program ended with the launch of missile V-4 from Vandenberg. V-4 self-destructed over the launch pad, recording one of the seven failures in the Titan I flight test program that began in .

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Midas 7 - . Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1206. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft Bus: WS-117. Spacecraft: Midas. USAF Sat Cat: 574 . COSPAR: 1963-014A. Apogee: 3,680 km (2,280 mi). Perigee: 3,609 km (2,242 mi). Inclination: 87.30 deg. Period: 166.40 min. MIDAS 7 was the first operational MIDAS mission and the first equipped with the W-37 sensor. During its six weeks of operation, MIDAS 7 recorded nine US ICBM launches, including the first missile launch ever detected from space..

• TRS 2 - . Payload: ERS 5. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: TRS. Decay Date: 1973-07-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 579 . COSPAR: 1963-014B. Apogee: 4,902 km (3,045 mi). Perigee: 2,269 km (1,409 mi). Inclination: 87.20 deg. Period: 165.00 min. Solar cells damage data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .