KH-4A 48 (Corona 128) & Vampan 1

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

21:32:00

Wednesday September 18, 1968

Mission Details

KH-4A 48 (Corona 128)

The KH-4A (Keyhole-4A) represented the fifth iteration within the Corona program aimed at constructing optical reconnaissance satellites. It was equipped with two J-1 panoramic cameras, each having a focal length of 61 cm and providing a ground resolution of 2.7 meters. Additionally, the KH-4A carried a 4 cm index camera with a focal length of 38 mm, offering a ground resolution of 162 meters and a frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.

Vampan 1

The Vampan satellite was 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.

Rocket

Retired
Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D

Active 1966 to 1972


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


157th

Mission

8th

Mission of 1968

1968


85th

Orbital launch attempt