DSAP-4B F1

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

04:38:00

Thursday May 23, 1968

Mission Details

DSAP-4B F1

Wiki

DSAP-4B (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 4B) was the sixth version of the military meteorological satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. The DSAP-4B satellites, slightly larger than their predecessors, was 30 inches in diameter, 29 inches high, and weighed 175 pounds. Still spin-stabilized, the satellite nonetheless provided improved weather coverage. They were a slightly improved version of the Block 4a satellite. Previously, the single 1/2-inch focal length RCA vidicon television camera in Block 1 and Block 2 satellites furnished a nadir resolution of 3-to-4 nautical miles (nm) over an 800 nm swath, with significant gaps in coverage of the Earth at the equator.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

1 Payload

513 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Thor LV2D Burner-2

Active 1966 to 1976


Stages

2

Strap-ons

3

Launch Site

SLC-10W (75-2-6)

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

49 days 3 hours

Stats

Thor-Burner


12th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1968

1968


46th

Orbital launch attempt