KH-4 19 (Corona 60)

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

21:48:00

Thursday February 28, 1963

Mission Details

Launch Notes

The first flight of Thrust-Augmented Thor Agena. One SRB failed to ignite. RSO T+100 seconds.

KH-4 19 (Corona 60)

The KH-4, or Keyhole-4, represented the fourth iteration within the Corona program. This version introduced stereoscopic imaging capabilities with the Corona-M or Mural camera, consisting of two C''' (Corona triple-prime) cameras mounted with a 30-degree separation angle for forward and rear-looking perspectives. Additionally, a 4 cm index camera was included for specific imaging tasks. The Mural camera offered a ground resolution of 7.5 meters. Operating atop the Agena-D upper stage, the satellite facilitated attitude control during its mission, with film return managed by a single General Electric return vehicle (SRV). Upon mission completion, the film return capsule utilized its own solid-fuel retro motor for deorbiting, enabling mid-air recovery by specially equipped aircraft.

Rocket

Retired
Thor SLV2A Agena-D

Active 1963 to 1968


Rocket

Height: 31m

Liftoff Thrust

1,571 Kilonewtons

Stages

2

Strap-ons

3

Launch Site

SLC-1E (75-3-5)

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

27 days 18 hours

Stats

Thor-Agena


65th

Mission

3rd

Mission of 1963

1963


7th

Orbital launch attempt