Status
Success
KH-6 2 (Corona 64)
Launch Time
Sat May 18, 1963 22:21 UTC
Sat May 18, 1963 22:21 UTC
Rocket
Mission Details
KH-6 2 (Corona 64)
KH-6 (Keyhole 6, codenamed Lanyard) was a part of the Corona program and aimed to capture higher resolution imagery. Equipped with a modified Samos E-5 camera built by Kodak, the KH-6 camera could tilt between fore and aft to acquire stereo coverage of the same land area during a photographic pass. With a ground resolution of approximately 1.8 meters, the KH-6 sought to improve image quality significantly. These satellites were designed for film capsule deorbiting from space, with mid-air recovery facilitated by specially equipped aircraft.
Location
SLC-1E (75-3-5), Vandenberg SFB, California, USA
Stats
1963
23rd orbital launch attempt
Thor-Agena
69th mission
7th mission of 1963
50th successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission