NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

KH-4 26 (Corona 75) & Pundit 2

Launch Time
Sat Dec 21, 1963 21:45 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-4 26 (Corona 75)

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.

Pundit 2

The Pundit satellites were part of a series of so called Program 11 or P-11 "Subsatellite Ferrets", low orbit ELINT/SIGINT satellites to pinpoint and characterize different Radar emitters in the Soviet Union and Warsaw pact states.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 108.0 kg

Location

SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1963

69th orbital launch attempt

Thor-Agena

82nd mission
20th mission of 1963
62nd successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission