2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Spacecraft
  3. Calsphere 1A
// calibration · 1962

Calsphere 1A

Calsphere 1A was launched on December 13, 1962 aboard a Thor Agena D from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Jul 1, 1963).

COSPAR 1962 B TAU 3NORAD 507United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
Calsphere 1
Common name
Calsphere 1A
International designator
1962 B TAU 3
NORAD catalog number
507
GCAT identifier
S00507
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.026

Mission

Mission type
Calibration
Use
Defense
Program
NRL Cal
Owner
NRL
Country
United States
Builder
Naval Research Lab
Platform (bus)
NRL 6" Calsphere

Launch

Date
December 13, 1962 · 04:07 UTC
Launch record
1962 B TAUSuccess
Spaceport
Vandenberg · pad 75-1-1

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LEO/I
Perigee
231 km
Apogee
2,748 km
Inclination
70.34°
Status
Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date
July 1, 1963
Last known active
Dec 13, 1962
End of operations
Dec 13, 1962

Size

Mass
1 kg
Dry mass
1 kg
Length
0.1 m
Diameter
0.10 m
Span
0.1 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q9184299 (CC0).