NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

KH-4B 6 (Corona 131) & P-801 2

Launch Time
Wed Feb 05, 1969 21:59 UTC

Rocket

Thorad SLV-2G 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-4B 6 (Corona 131)

The KH-4B (Keyhole-4B) marked the sixth iteration within the Corona program for optical reconnaissance satellites. It was equipped with two J-3 panoramic cameras, each with a focal length of 61 cm, providing a ground resolution of 1.8 meters and a ground swath of 16 km × 217 km. Additionally, the KH-4B featured the DISIC (Dual Improved Stellar Index) camera, offering superior mapping capabilities compared to the KH-5 Argon system. The DISIC camera had a focal length of 91 cm, providing a ground resolution of 30 meters, with a frame coverage of 260 km × 260 km.

P-801 2

The P-801 (or Program 801) satellites were a special series among the so called "Subsatellite Ferrets", low orbit ELINT/SIGINT satellites to pinpoint and characterize different Radar emitters in the Soviet Union and Warsaw pact states. Before their program name was known, they are referred to as "Subsatellite Ferret C" (SSF-C).

Location

SLC-3W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1969

13th orbital launch attempt

Thor-Agena

161st mission
1st mission of 1969
136th successful mission
7th consecutive successful mission