Discoverer 19
Discoverer 19 |
Mission type |
Technology |
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Operator |
US Air Force/ARPA |
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Harvard designation |
1960 Tau 1 |
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Spacecraft properties |
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Bus |
Agena-B |
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Manufacturer |
Lockheed |
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Launch mass |
1,060 kilograms (2,340 lb) |
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Start of mission |
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Launch date |
20 December 1960, 20:32 (1960-12-20UTC20:32Z) UTC |
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Rocket |
Thor DM-21 Agena-B 258 |
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Launch site |
Vandenberg LC-75-3-5 |
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End of mission |
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Decay date |
23 January 1961 (1961-01-24) |
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Orbital parameters |
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Reference system |
Geocentric |
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Regime |
Low Earth |
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Perigee |
206 kilometers (128 mi) |
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Apogee |
578 kilometers (359 mi) |
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Inclination |
83.4 degrees |
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Period |
92.4 minutes |
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The launch of Discoverer 19
Discoverer 19, also known as RM-1, was an American satellite which was launched in 1960. It was a technology demonstration spacecraft, based on an Agena-B.[1]
The launch of Discoverer 19 occurred at 20:32 UTC on 20 December 1960. A Thor DM-21 Agena-B rocket was used, flying from Launch Complex 75-3-5 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base.[2] Upon successfully reaching orbit, it was assigned the Harvard designation 1960 Tau 1.
Discoverer 19 was operated in a low Earth orbit, with a perigee of 206 kilometres (128 mi), an apogee of 578 kilometres (359 mi), 83.4 degrees of inclination, and a period of 92.4 minutes.[3] The satellite had a mass of 1,060 kilograms (2,340 lb),[4] and was used to demonstrate technology for the Midas programme,[5] including infrared sensors.[4] It remained in orbit until 23 January 1961,[3] when it decayed and reentered the atmosphere.
References
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| | | Payloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( | ). Manned flights are indicated in bold text. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in brackets. |
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