Photo: NASA · Public domain (US government)
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
Rocket and boosterAtlas LV-3 Agena D
- Vehicle
- Atlas LV-3 Agena D
Atlas LV-3 Agena D: specs, record and next flights → US Air Force: all its launches →
MissionGovernment/Top Secret · Elliptical
Government/Top Secret · Elliptical
What it put in orbit4 catalogued objects, 2 of them satellites
| Object | Type | Orbit | Globe |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPS 6577 (VELA 5) 1965-058A | Payload | 50908 × 171970 km · 30.0° | Globe |
| OPS 6564 (VELA 6) 1965-058B | Payload | 54543 × 168967 km · 41.8° | Globe |
| ERS 17 1965-058C | Payload | re-entered 1968-07-01 | |
| ATLAS AGENA D R/B 1965-058D | Rocket body | re-entered 1977-09-17 |
COSPAR ID 1965-058. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).
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