Vela 6A/6B

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

10:50:00

Wednesday April 8, 1970

Watch Replay

24/7 Coverage

Mission Details

Vela 6A/6B

Wiki

Like its predecessor, the Vela, the Advanced Vela series of spacecraft was designed to monitor worldwide compliance with the 1963 nuclear test ban treaty. The Advanced series added atmospheric nuclear detonation detection to its capabilities. Additionally, it monitored solar activity (providing radiation warnings for manned missions), terrestrial lightning activity, and celestial X/gamma-ray radiation. All six spacecraft operated for more than 10 years. Their nuclear detection role was assumed by IMEWS in the 1970s. Touted as the longest continuously operating space system in 1985 when USAF shut down the last 3 spacecraft.

Highly Elliptical Orbit

2 Payloads

522 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Titan IIIC

Active 1965 to 1970

United States Air Force logo

Manufacturer

US Air Force

Rocket

Height: 42m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 13,100 kg

GTO: 3,000 kg

Liftoff Thrust

13,642 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 3m

Stages

3

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

SLC-40

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

2 days 8 hours

Stats

Titan III


43rd

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1970

1970


29th

Orbital launch attempt