Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

20:45:00

Wednesday November 22, 1961

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Pitch control failed at T+244 seconds. Agena separated but was left facing in the wrong direction for orbital insertion.

Samos 4

Wiki

The Samos E or SAMOS ("Satellite and Missile Observation System") program was a relatively short-lived series of reconnaissance satellites for the United States in the early 1960s, also used as a cover for the initial development of the KH-7 Gambit system.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

Rocket

Retired
Atlas-LV3 Agena-B

Active 1961 to 1965


Payload to Orbit

LEO: 1,725 kg

Stages

2

Launch Site

SLC-3W

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

17 days 21 hours

Stats

Atlas-Agena


10th

Mission

7th

Mission of 1961

1961


45th

Orbital launch attempt