Discoverer 1

American reconnaissance satellite launched in 1959; failed to achieve orbit. Discoverer 1 was launched on February 28, 1959 aboard a Thor Agena A from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: reentered attached to another object (Mar 5, 1959).

COSPAR 1959 BETNORAD 13United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Discoverer 1
Payload designation: CORONA Test Vehicle 2
Other names: :C,:CC,FTV 1022:UF,CORONA 1:CA
International designator: 1959 BET
NORAD catalog number: 13
GCAT identifier: S00013

Mission

Mission type: Technology
Use: Defense
Program: CORONA Early
Owner: ARPA
Country: United States
Builder: Lockheed Missiles and Space Division
Platform (bus): CORONA

Launch

Date: February 28, 1959 · 21:49 UTC
Launch record: 1959 BETFailure
Rocket: Thor Agena A
Spaceport: Vandenberg · pad 75-3-4

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LLEO/P
Perigee: 163 km
Apogee: 968 km
Inclination: 89.70°
Status: Reentered attached to another object
Status date: March 5, 1959
Last known active: Feb 28, 1959
End of operations: Feb 28, 1959

Size

Mass: 78 kg
Dry mass: 78 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 668 kg
Length: 2.0 m
Diameter: 1.50 m
Span: 2.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q2398310 (CC0).