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// missile early warning · 1963

Vela 1A

Nuclear detonation detector. Vela 1A was launched on October 17, 1963 aboard a Atlas Agena D from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (1980).

COSPAR 1963-039ANORAD 674United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
Vela I-A
Common name
Vela 1A
Payload designation
Vela 1A
Other names
FTV 1801
International designator
1963-039A
NORAD catalog number
674
GCAT identifier
S00674
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.054

Mission

Mission type
Missile early warning
Use
Defense
Program
Vela
Country
United States
Builder
TRW Inc.
Platform (bus)
Vela

Launch

Date
October 17, 1963 · 02:37 UTC
Launch record
1963-039Success
Spaceport
Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC13

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
VHEO
Perigee
101,081 km
Apogee
116,581 km
Inclination
38.71°
Status
Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date
1980
Last known active
June 1969
End of operations
June 1969

Size

Mass
115 kg
Dry mass
115 kg
Total mass with attached objects
217 kg
Length
1.4 m
Diameter
1.40 m
Span
1.4 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry
D00620
Final central body
Earth
Phase start
1980
Phase outcome
In orbit

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q9368342 (CC0).