Thor Agena A
SuccessDiscoverer 2 · United States Air Force
Launch time (NET)
Monday, Apr 13, 1959, 21:18 UTC
Launch window
Monday, Apr 13, 1959, 21:18 UTC – Monday, Apr 13, 1959, 21:18 UTC
Provider
United States Air Force
Rocket
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA · Open map
Status
Success
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
Mission
Discoverer 2
Type
Government/Top Secret
Orbit
Polar Orbit (PO)
Discoverer II successfully reached orbit and took photos of Earth. However, when the capsule with the data was ejected in order to re-enter the atmosphere there was a timer malfunction meaning it seperated too early and landed over the North Pole rather than the intended target of Hawaii. The capsule was never recovered.
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