Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (US government)
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About this launch
Discoverer II successfully reached orbit and took photos of Earth. However, when the capsule with the data was ejected in order to re-enter the atmosphere there was a timer malfunction meaning it seperated too early and landed over the North Pole rather than the intended target of Hawaii. The…
More about this launch
Flight profileThe climb, seen from the side · 3D replay on the globe
Launch window and padVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
- Site
- Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Rocket and boosterThor Agena A
- Vehicle
- Thor Agena A
Thor Agena A: specs, record and next flights → US Air Force: all its launches →
MissionGovernment/Top Secret · PO
Government/Top Secret · PO
What it put in orbit1 catalogued object
| Object | Type | Orbit | Globe |
|---|---|---|---|
| DISCOVERER 2 1959-003A | Payload | re-entered 1959-04-26 |
COSPAR ID 1959-003. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).
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