NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Midas 12

Launch Time
Wed Oct 05, 1966 22:00 UTC

Rocket

Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D
Image Credit: USAF or NASA
General Dynamics
Status: Retired
Payload to LEO: 1,825 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0

Mission Details

Midas 12

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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 2,000.0 kg

Location

SLC-3E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1966

99th orbital launch attempt

Atlas-Agena

81st mission
19th mission of 1966
63rd successful mission
8th consecutive successful mission