Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

22:00:00

Wednesday October 5, 1966

Mission Details

Midas 12

Wiki

This Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS) satellite was launched along with SECOR 8 from Vandenberg AFB aboard an Atlas Agena D rocket. The MIDAS program, also known as Air Force Program 461, carried out 12 launches between 1960 and 1966 using four different types of increasingly sophisticated infrared sensors. The objective was to develop a satellite that could carry an infrared sensor to detect ICBM launches.

1 Payload

2,000 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D

Active 1964 to 1967


Payload to Orbit

LEO: 1,825 kg

Stages

2

Launch Site

SLC-3E

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

32 days 16 hours

Stats

Atlas-Agena


81st

Mission

19th

Mission of 1966

1966


99th

Orbital launch attempt