NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

KH-5 7 (Corona 53)

Launch Time
Tue Oct 09, 1962 18:35 UTC

Rocket

Thor DM-21 Agena-B
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0

Mission Details

KH-5 7

KH-5 (Keyhole 5, codenamed Argon) was the area survey component of the Corona program.

The Argon camera (also called Corona-A), a single frame camera, was integrated with standard Corona hardware like the return vehicle (SRV). The ground resolution of KH-5 was ca. 140 m. The SRV and the camera remained fixed to the Agena-B stage, which provided three axis control and propulsion during the mission. The SRV was deorbited using its own small solid rocket motor.

KH-5 7 (Corona 53)

The KH-5, also known as Keyhole 5 or codenamed Argon, served as the area survey component within the Corona program. Equipped with the Argon camera, also referred to as Corona-A, this single-frame camera was integrated with standard Corona hardware, including the return vehicle (SRV). Operating with a ground resolution of approximately 140 meters, the KH-5 relied on the Agena-B stage for three-axis control and propulsion throughout its mission. Upon completion, the SRV was deorbited using its own small solid rocket motor.

Location

SLC-1W (75-3-4), Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1962

60th orbital launch attempt

Thor-Agena

56th mission
20th mission of 1962
40th successful mission
18th consecutive successful mission