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ATLAS AGENA PAYLOAF SERIES

ATDA, a back-up target, did not have its own propulsion system, only an attitude control system, so Atlas did all the work and the sustainer stage also reached orbit. The first carried the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA) into a 300 km x 28.9 deg orbit for the Gemini 9A mission, a couple of weeks after the original Agena-launched target was lost in an Atlas failure.

ATLAS AGENA PAYLOAF SERIES

Period: 1,435.10 min.During 19, four SLV-3 series Atlas launches with no upper stages were performed. The first SLV-3A standard Atlas booster (Vehicle 5506A) with the 370,000-pound thrust MA-5 propulsion system was delivered to the Air Force by Convair/Astronautics.

First SLV-3A standard Atlas delivered.

Second launch of Rhyolite geostationary ELINT satellite. In comparison to earlier Canyon ELINT satellites, Improved Canyon had a similar but heavier payload which separated from the Agena D final stage. First launch of improved ELINT satellite. Last known longitude (31 December 1970) 99.01 deg W drifting at 1.490 deg W per day.įAILURE: First stage failure. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. Reportedly left in transfer orbit other sources indicate a successful mission. First launch of Rhyolite geostationary ELINT satellite. Last known longitude (31 December 1969) 99.24 deg W drifting at 2.246 deg W per day. Last known longitude (30 December 1968) 98.50 deg W drifting at 0.166 deg E per day. The Agena D remained attached to the spacecraft. The first generation series, CANYON, was based on the Agena vehicle. First launch in a communications intelligence program operated by the USAF within the National Reconnaissance Office, on behalf of the National Security Agency. The "stretched" Atlas had an additional 117-inch tank section to provide more fuel, a longer burn time, and increased payload capability. The first "stretched" Atlas SLV-3A/ Agena D was launched from the Eastern Test Range. Spacecraft orbit parameters changed significantly over the spacecraft life. Four experiments (Meyer, Blamont, Thomas, and Simpson) were reactivated for the period from June 1 to July 13, 1972, after which all operational support terminated. The spacecraft was placed in a standby status on October 8, 1971. The spacecraft attitude control failed on August 6, 1971, after 41 months of normal operation.

By April 1971, spacecraft perigee had increased to 26,400 km and inclination had increased to 54 deg. In addition, there was one each of the following types of experiments: radio astronomy, UV spectrum, Lyman-alpha, solar X ray, plasma waves, and electric field. OGO 5 carried 25 experiments, 17 of which were particle studies, and two were magnetic field studies. Agena was used as an upper stage with the Thor, augmented Thor, Atlas and Titan boosters it had played important roles in such military and NASA programs as Discoverer, Samos, Mariner, OGO, Lunar Orbiter, Ranger and Orbiting Astronomical Observatory. In the Gemini Agena, a control system could handle 96 commands from the astronauts or from ground stations. Agena had a main rocket engine capable of multiple re-starts in space in the modified target vehicle version it also had 2 secondary engines to provide small changes in velocity and position in orbit. Agena played a key role in manned space flight it was the target vehicle for rendezvous and docking maneuvers in NASA's Gemini project. space exploration, Agena was an upper stage which was also employed as a spacecraft, the whole vehicle going into orbit. Uprated Atlas booster with Agena D upper stage.ĪKA: Atlas Agena D SLV-3A SLV-3A.