Discoverer 16

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Discoverer 16
KH-2 CORONA.jpg
Mission typeOptical reconnaissance
Operator US Air Force/NRO
Mission durationFailed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Corona KH-2
Bus Agena-B
Manufacturer Lockheed
Launch mass1,091 kilograms (2,405 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date26 October 1960, 20:26 (1960-10-26UTC20:26Z) UTC
Rocket Thor DM-21 Agena-B 253
Launch site Vandenberg LC-75-3-4
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Epoch Planned
 

Discoverer 16, also known as Corona 9011, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite which was lost in a launch failure on 26 October 1960. It was the first of ten Corona KH-2 satellites, based on the Agena-B. [1]

The launch of Discoverer 16 occurred at 20:26 UTC on 26 October 1960. A Thor DM-21 Agena-B rocket was used, flying from Launch Complex 75-3-4 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base. [2] The Agena failed to separate from the Thor first stage, and as a result the satellite failed to achieve orbit. [3] [4]

Discoverer 16 was intended to have been operated in a low Earth orbit. It had a mass of 1,091 kilograms (2,405 lb), [5] and was equipped with a panoramic camera with a focal length of 61 centimetres (24 in), which had a maximum resolution of 7.6 metres (25 ft). [4] It was to have recorded images onto 70-millimeter (2.8 in) film, which would have been returned in a Satellite Recovery Vehicle. The Satellite Recovery Vehicle aboard Discoverer 16 was SRV-506. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "KH-2 Corona". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  3. ↑ Pike, John (9 September 2000). "KH-2 Corona". Federation of American Scientists . Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Corona". Mission and Spacecraft Library. NASA. Archived from the original on 3 October 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  5. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "KH-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2010.


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