Discoverer 13

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

20:37:54

Wednesday August 10, 1960

Mission Details

Launch Notes

First successful recovery of a manmade object from orbit.

Discoverer 13

Discoverer 13, a development model of the KH-1 Corona reconnaissance satellite without a camera, was launched into a polar orbit by a Thor-DM18 Agena-A booster. Operating in a three-axis stabilized mode and controlled from Earth, it conducted 17 orbits before ejecting a reentry vehicle on April 14, 1959. This vehicle, composed of protection equipment, retrorocket, and main structure, separated into two sections, with the reentry capsule intended for recovery over Hawaii. However, a timer malfunction led to premature capsule ejection and reentry over the north polar region, resulting in the capsule's loss. Despite this setback, the main instrumentation payload continued orbiting, facilitating vehicular performance and communications tests.

Rocket

Retired
Thor DM-18 Agena-A

Active 1959 to 1962


Stages

3

Launch Site

SLC-1E (75-3-5)

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

27 days 18 hours

Stats

Thor-Agena


13th

Mission

5th

Mission of 1960

1960


17th

Orbital launch attempt