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// missile early warning · 1965

Vela 3B

U.S. reconnaissance satellite. Vela 3B was launched on July 20, 1965 aboard a Atlas Agena D from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (September 1969).

COSPAR 1965-058BNORAD 1459United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
Vela III-B
Common name
Vela 3B
Payload designation
Vela 3B
Other names
FTV 6577
International designator
1965-058B
NORAD catalog number
1459
GCAT identifier
S01459
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.112

Mission

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

Launch

Date
July 20, 1965 · 08:27 UTC
Launch record
1965-058Success
Spaceport
Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC13

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
VHEO
Perigee
101,714 km
Apogee
121,281 km
Inclination
34.94°
Status
Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date
September 1969
Last known active
October 1970
End of operations
October 1970

Size

Mass
132 kg
Dry mass
132 kg
Total mass with attached objects
224 kg
Length
1.4 m
Diameter
1.40 m
Span
1.4 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry
D00284
Final central body
Earth
Phase start
September 1969
Phase outcome
In orbit

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q14860842 (CC0).