Discoverer 3

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Discoverer 3
KH-1 CORONA.jpg
Mission typeOptical reconnaissance
Operator US Air Force / NRO
Harvard designation1959-F02
SATCAT no. F00060
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type CORONA Test Vehicle
Bus Agena-A
Manufacturer Lockheed
Launch mass843 kilograms (1,858 lb) after orbit insertion
Start of mission
Launch date3 June 1959 20:09:20 (1959-06-03UTC20:09:20Z) GMT
Rocket Thor DM-21 Agena-A
(Thor 174)
Launch site Vandenberg LC 75-3-4
 

Discoverer 3 was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 3 June 1959 at 20:09:20 GMT, the third of three test flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series. The first Discoverer mission to carry live animal passengers, Discoverer 3 was lost when its carrying Agena-A booster crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

Contents

Background

Thor Agena A with Discoverer 3, 3 June 1959 Thor Agena A with Discoverer 3, 3 June 1959.gif
Thor Agena A with Discoverer 3, 3 June 1959

"Discoverer" was the civilian designation and cover for the Corona satellite photo-reconnaissance series of satellites managed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force. The primary goal of the satellites was to replace the U-2 spyplane in surveilling the Sino-Soviet Bloc, determining the disposition and speed of production of Soviet missiles and long-range bombers assess. The Corona program was also used to produce maps and charts for the Department of Defense and other US government mapping programs. [1]

The first series of Corona satellites were the Keyhole 1 (KH-1) satellites based on the Agena-A upper stage, which not only offered housing but whose engine provided attitude control in orbit. The KH-1 payload included the C (for Corona) single, vertical-looking, panoramic camera that scanned back and forth, exposing its film at a right angle to the line of flight. [2] : 26  The camera, built by Fairchild Camera and Instrument with a f/5.0 aperture and 61 centimetres (24 in) focal length, had a ground resolution of 12.9 metres (42 ft). Film was returned from orbit by a single General Electric Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV) constructed by General Electric. The SRV was equipped with an onboard small solid-fuel retro motor to deorbit at the end of the mission. Recovery of the capsule was done in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft. [3]

Discoverer 3 was the third in a series of three camera-less test flights preceding operational KH-1 flights. [4] Previously, Discoverer 1, which carried neither camera nor film capsule, was launched 28 February 1959 after a failed attempt on 21 January 1959. [5] Discoverer 2, launched 13 April 1959, [6] was orbited successfully but its SRV was lost over Norway and never recovered. [7] : 53–54 

Spacecraft

The battery-powered [4] Discoverer 3 was composed of two sections: the satellite proper and the SRV. Together, they massed (843 kilograms (1,858 lb)) after orbit insertion. [7] : 236  To facilitate the cover story that Discoverer was a biomedical series of satellites, the capsule was equipped with a life support system designed to support four mice. It was the first time a Discoverer flight was planned with live animal passengers. [7] The mice were physically stronger and more emotionally stable than standard mice, and they were provided with a food supply consisting of a mixture of oatmeal, ground peanuts, orange juice, water, and gelatin. The satellite also carried equipment for measuring radiation in orbit. [8]

Mission

Discoverer 3 was originally scheduled for launch in late May 1959. This attempt was aborted when biomedical telemetry ceased from the SRV and, upon opening the capsule, it was discovered that the payload, four black mice, had poisoned themselves by gnawing at the Krylon coating of their cages. A second launch a few days later was aborted when telemetry indicated a 100% humidity level inside the SRV; payload mice had urinated on the humidity sensor. [7]

The spacecraft was finally launched at 3 June 1959 20:09:20 from Vandenberg LC 75-3-4. Discoverer III sent telemetry data for 13 minutes, reaching a range of 1,200 mi (1,900 km) downrange and a speed of nearly 18,000 mph (29,000 km/h), before abruptly going silent. [9] After 24 hours of failure to obtain radar or telemetry signals, it was concluded that the spacecraft had been lost. Factors which contributed to the failure were determined to be faulty radar data which triggered an incorrect firing time and velocity target, and an early cutoff of the rocket's firing. [10] During separation of the Agena stage from the Thor first stage, the booster pitched downward, and the Agena and payload crashed into the Pacific Ocean. [7] : 53–54 

The loss of the mice at sea, compounded by a Jupiter suborbital shot failure on May 29 resulting in the death of the payload monkey, Able, generated complaints from a British humane society and several American newspapers. [7] : 54 

Legacy

The failure of Discoverer 3 caused a week-long delay in the upcoming Discoverer 4 mission while changes were made to ensure its success. The radar problem was addressed by changes in tracking procedures; the premature propulsion cut-off issue was deemed minor--had it occurred without the faulty radar data, Discoverer 3 would have made orbit. [10]

CORONA began operational flights on 25 Jun 1959 with the launch of Discoverer 4 [7] : 54  and achieved its first fully successful flight with the mission of Discoverer 14, launched on August 18, 1960. [7] : 59  The program ultimately comprised 145 flights in eight satellite series, the last mission launching on 25 May 1972. [7] : 245  CORONA was declassified in 1995, [7] : 14  and a formal acknowledgement of the existence of US reconnaissance programs, past and present, was issued in September 1996. [7] : 4 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CORONA (satellite)</span> American reconnaissance satellites (1959–1972)

The Corona program was a series of American strategic reconnaissance satellites produced and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Directorate of Science & Technology with substantial assistance from the U.S. Air Force. The CORONA satellites were used for photographic surveillance of the Soviet Union (USSR), China, and other areas beginning in June 1959 and ending in May 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samos (satellite)</span> Series of reconnaissance satellites for the United States

The SAMOS or SAMOS-E program was a relatively short-lived series of reconnaissance satellites for the United States in the early 1960s, also used as a cover for the initial development of the KH-7 GAMBIT system. Reconnaissance was performed with film cameras and television surveillance from polar low Earth orbits with film canister returns and transmittals over the United States. SAMOS was first launched in 1960 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 1</span> American reconnaissance satellite launched in 1959; failed to achieve orbit

Discoverer 1 was the first of a series of satellites which were part of the CORONA reconnaissance satellite program. It was launched on a Thor-Agena A rocket on 28 February 1959 at 21:49:16 GMT from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It was a prototype of the KH-1 satellite, but did not contain either a camera or a film capsule. It was the first satellite launched toward the South Pole in an attempt to achieve a polar orbit, but was unsuccessful. A CIA report, later declassified, concluded that "Today, most people believe the Discoverer 1 landed somewhere near the South Pole".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 14</span> American reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 14, also known as Corona 9009, was a spy satellite used in the Corona program managed by Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force. On 19 August 1960, usable photographic film images of the Soviet Union taken by the satellite were recovered by a C-119 recovery aircraft. This was the first successful recovery of film from an orbiting satellite and the first mid-air recovery of an object returning from Earth orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 13</span> American reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 13 was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 10 Aug 1960 at 20:37:54 GMT. The last of five test flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series, it was the first fully successful flight in the Discoverer series. On 11 Aug, after 17 orbits, the satellite's reentry capsule was recovered in the Pacific Ocean by the Haiti Victory. Its payload, an American flag, was presented to President Eisenhower four days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 11</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 11, also known as Corona 9008, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 15 Apr 1960 at 20:30:37 GMT. The eighth of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series, it successfully employed the first space-worthy camera film; however, Discoverer's film return capsule was lost during reentry on 16 Apr when the satellite's spin motors exploded.

Discoverer 24, also known as Corona 9018A, was an American area survey optical reconnaissance satellite which was launched in 1961 but failed to achieve orbit. It was a KH-5 Argon satellite, based on an Agena-B. It was the third KH-5 to be launched.

Discoverer 27, also known as Corona 9020A, was an American area survey optical reconnaissance satellite launched in 1961, but which failed to achieve orbit. It was a KH-5 Argon satellite, based on an Agena-B. It was the fourth KH-5 to be launched, the second consecutive KH-5 launch failure, and the fourth consecutive KH-5 mission failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 17</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 17, also known as Corona 9012, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 12 November 1960 at 20:38:00 GMT. It was the second of ten Corona KH-2 satellites, based on the Agena-B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 18</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 18, also known as Corona 9013, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 7 December 1960 at 20:24:00 GMT. It was the first successful, and the third of ten total Corona KH-2 satellites, based on the Agena-B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 4</span> American reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 4, also known as Corona 9001, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 25 Jun 1959 at 22:47:45 GMT, the first of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series, and the first satellite to be equipped for photo surveillance. The satellite was not successfully orbited. Its loss spurred improvements of its rocket booster to ensure the success of subsequent missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 9</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 9, also known as Corona 9006, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 4 Feb 1960 at 18:51:45 GMT, the sixth of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series, and the first of them to be equipped with a new, vacuum-proof, polyester-based film. The satellite was not successfully orbited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 10</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 10, also known as Corona 9007, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 19 Feb 1960 at 20:15:14 GMT, the seventh of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 2</span> American reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 2 was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 13 April 1959 at 21:18:39 GMT, the second of three test flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series. Discoverer 2 was the first satellite to be stabilized in orbit in all three axes and to be maneuvered on command from the earth. Though it carried no film and thus conducted no surveillance, Discoverer 2 was both the first satellite equipped with a reentry capsule and the first to return a payload from orbit. A timing error caused the reentry capsule to land near the island of Spitzbergen, Norway, rather than Hawaii. A joint US-Norway recovery operation was mounted, but was unsuccessful, and there was fear that the capsule ended in the possession of the Soviet Union. Such claims have never been verified. The flight and loss of Discoverer 2 was the inspiration for the book and film Ice Station Zebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 5</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 5, also known as Corona 9002, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 13 August 1959 at 19:00:08 GMT, the second of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series. Though the satellite was successfully orbited, the onboard camera failed within the first orbit, and the film-return capsule failed to deorbit as planned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 6</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 6, also known as Corona 9003, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 19 August 1959 at 19:24:44 GMT, the third of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series. Though the spacecraft was orbited successfully, the onboard camera ceased operating by the second orbit, and the film-return capsule could not be recovered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 7</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 7, also known as Corona 9004, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 7 November 1959 at 20:28:41 GMT, the fourth of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series. Though the satellite was orbited successfully, its film capsule failed to separate from the main satellite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 8</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 8, also known as Corona 9005, was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 20 November 1959 at 19:25:24 GMT, the fifth of ten operational flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series. Overburn by the carrier rocket placed the satellite in a higher apogee, more eccentric orbit than planned, the camera failed to operate, and the film return capsule was lost on reentry after separation from the main satellite on 21 November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 12</span> Reconnaissance satellite

Discoverer 12 was an American optical reconnaissance satellite launched on 29 June 1960, at 22:00:44 GMT. The fourth of five test flights of the Corona KH-1 spy satellite series was lost when the second stage failed during launch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoverer 15</span> Reconnaissance satellite of the United States Air Force

Discoverer 15, also known as Corona 9010, was a spy satellite used in the Corona program managed by Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force. Launched on 13 September 1960, the satellite took reconnaissance photos of the Soviet Union. However, its recoverable film capsule was lost in the Pacific Ocean after reentry outside the recovery zone on 15 September.

References

  1. ↑ "Discoverer 1". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Corona: America's First Satellite Program" (PDF). Central Intelligence Agency. 1995. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "KH-1 Corona". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  4. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter. "Discoverer 2, 3, 12, 13". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  5. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Discoverer 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  6. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathon's Space Report. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Day, Dwayne A.; Logsdon, John M.; Latell, Brian (1998). Eye in the Sky: The Story of the Corona Spy Satellites. Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN   1-56098-830-4. OCLC   36783934.
  8. ↑ "Missiles and Spaceflight: Discoverer 3 Launch". Flight International. 12 June 1959. p. 794.
  9. ↑ "Air Force Pessimistic About Fate of Discoverer III, Mice". The Coshcocton Tribute. 4 June 1959.
  10. 1 2 "ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE DEFENSE DEPT FOR POSSIBLE INCLUSION IN THE DAILY SUMMARY FOR THE PRESIDENT: DISCOVERER LAUNCH SCHEDULED 21 MAY 59, PROJECT MIDAS, LAUNCH OF THOR MISSILE NUMBER 191" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of Defense. 11 June 1959. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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