NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

KH-6 2 (Corona 64)

Launch Time
Sat May 18, 1963 22:21 UTC

Rocket

Thor SLV2A Agena-D
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 1,571 kN
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 3
Rocket Height: 31.0 m

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