Photo: NASA · Public domain (US government)

Vela 1A & 1B

Success US Air Force, Atlas LV-3 Agena D

About this launch

The Vela (meaning "watchman" in Spanish) series of spacecraft were designed to monitor worldwide compliance with the 1963 nuclear test ban treaty.

More about this launch

Flight profileThe climb, seen from the side · 3D replay on the globe
Launch window and padCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Site
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Everything launching from Cape Canaveral SFS →

Rocket and boosterAtlas LV-3 Agena D
MissionGovernment/Top Secret · Elliptical

Government/Top Secret · Elliptical

What it put in orbit3 catalogued objects, 2 of them satellites
ObjectTypeOrbitGlobe
VELA 2 1963-039A Payload 33707 × 184057 km · 47.9° Globe
ERS 12 1963-039B Payload re-entered 1966-02-05
VELA 1 1963-039C Payload 48562 × 170602 km · 33.8° Globe

COSPAR ID 1963-039. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).

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