Discoverer 58 / KH-4 18 / CORONA 59  Spacecraft:  KH-4 9051 / CORONA M-18 / OPS 0048 / FTV 1157 Chronologies: 1963 payload #2 ; 1963-002A ; 257th spacecraft, 525th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 7 January 1963 at 21h10 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 369 / Agena D 1157). Orbit: 202 km x 384 km x 82.0° x 90.30 min. Recovered: 24 January 1963. Mission: Historical reports: Reported as “undisclosed payload” by USAF. * * * * * Current overview: Eighteenth KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metres. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which was recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft. KH-4 18 sustained erratic vehicle attitude; frame ephemeris was not created. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-002A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 5 ; Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

P-35-3 / DAPP 3 Spacecraft:  OPS 0240 Chronologies: 1963 payload #6 ; 1963-005A ; 261st spacecraft, 533rd space object catalogued. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: U.S. Department of Defense Source : A, Parsch Launch: 19 February 1963 at 16h33 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-D, by a Scout (Scout X-3M S126). Orbit: 488 km x 810 km x 100.5° x 97.80 min. Decayed: 26 December 1979. Mission: Historical reports: Launched as an unidentified payload by USAF. * * * * * Current overview: P-35-3 was a 40-kg (or 24-kg) meteorological satellite equipped with a television camera (a photosensitive vidicon tube) which took picture of an 2,000-km-square area of the surface below. The satellite would provide 100 percent daily coverage of the Northern Hemisphere at latitudes above 60 degrees, and 55 percent coverage at the equator.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's ; Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 59 ; Gunter's DSAP-1 ;

Discoverer 59 / KH-4 19 / CORONA 60 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9052 / CORONA M-20 / OPS 0583 (+ LPARL Aurora 1963 Research Module?) Chronologies: 1963 payload #7 ; 1963 2nd loss ; 262nd spacecraft. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 28 February 1963 at 21h48 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 354 / Agena D 1159). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 28 February 1963. Mission: Historical reports: Air Force said that “an improved Thor booster combination of liquid and solid propellants,” launched with unnamed satellite from Vandenberg AFB, was deliberately destroyed when it veered off course. Improved Thor had increased thrust from 77 to 150 tons, almost double its earlier power and almost equal to the early Atlas. * * * * * Current overview: Nineteenth KH-4, 1,150-kg surveillance satellite and the first on this series which failed to reach orbit.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's NNNS6301 ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 72 ; Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

Discoverer 60 / KH-4 20 / CORONA 62 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9053 / CORONA M-19 / OPS 0720 / FTV 1660 Chronologies: 1963 payload #11 ; 1963-007A ; 266th spacecraft, 562nd space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 1st April 1963 at 23h01 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 376 / Agena D 1160). Orbit: 198 km x 408 km x 74.9° x 90.50 min. Recovered: 26 April 1963. Mission: Historical reports: Launched as an “unidentified satellite’ by USAF. Film capsule recovered 3.1 days after launch. * * * * * Current overview: Twentieth KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metres. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which was recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft.  KH-4 20 film capsule was recovered 3.1 days after launch. It provided the best imagery to date.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-007A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 118 ; Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

P-35-4 / DAPP 4 Spacecraft:  OPS 1298 ; DSAP-1 F4 (Data Acquisition and Processing Program) Chronologies: 1963 payload #18 ; 1963 7th loss ; 273rd spacecraft. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: U.S. Department of Defense Source : A, Parsch Launch: 26 April 1963, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-D, by a Scout (Scout X-2M S121). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 26 April 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched Blue Scout rocket from Pt. Arguello, Calif., with unidentified payload.” * * * * *  Current overview: P-35-4 was the fourth 40-kg DAPP-1 military weather satellite which provide targeting information for reconnaissance satellites. It failed to reach orbit because of a Scout launcher malfunction. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's NNNS6303 ; Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 163 ; Gunter's DSAP-1 ;

Discoverer 61 / KH-5 8 / CORONA 63 / ARGON 8 Spacecraft:  KH-5 9055A / ARGON 12 / OPS 1005 Chronologies: 1963 payload #19 ; 1963 8th loss ; 274th spacecraft. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 26 April 1963 at 20h13 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 372 / Agena D 1411). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 26 April 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched unidentified satellite from PMR using Thor-Agena vehicle.” * * * * * Current overview: The eighth of the 1,500-kg KH-5 Argon series, which was the area survey component of the Corona program. Its camera has a ground resolution of 140 metres. The spacecraft remained fixed to the Agena  stage, which provided three axis control and propulsion during the mission. This KH-5 was the third in the series to fail to reach orbit following a launcher malfunction Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's NNNS6304 ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 163 ; Gunter's KH-5 Argon ;

Discoverer 62 / KH-4 21 / CORONA 65 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9054 / CORONA M-21 / OPS 0954 (+ EROS Expt. Reflector Orbital S) Chronologies: 1963 payload #34 ; 1963-019A ; 289th spacecraft, 590th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 12 June 1963 at 23h59 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 362 / Agena D 1161). Orbit: 193 km x 416 km x 81.8° x 90.70 min. Recovered: 11 July 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched Thor-Agena D space vehicle with unidentified payload from PMR; launch occurred several hours after another booster exploded.” * * * * * Current overview: Twenty-first KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metres. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which was recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft. Some of the film imagery was seriously affected by corona. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-019A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 239 ; Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

Discoverer 63 / KH-4 22 / CORONA 66 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9056 / CORONA M-22 / OPS 0999 Chronologies: 1963 payload #47 ; 1963-025A ; 303rd spacecraft, 609th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 27 June 1963 at 0h37 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 381 / Agena D 1166). Orbit: 199 km x 338 km x 81.6° x 89.90 min. Recovered: 26 July 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched an unidentified satellite and a hitchhiker radiation monitoring satellite that separated in orbit on July 1, 1963.” * * * * * Current overview: Twenty-second KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metre. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which were recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft. KH-4 22 carried an xperimental camera but film was affected by light leaks.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-025A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 256 ; Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

Discoverer 64 / KH-4 23 / CORONA 67 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9057 / CORONA M-23 / OPS 1266 Chronologies: 1963 payload #53 ; 1963-029A ; 308th spacecraft, 621st space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 19 July 1963 at 0h00 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 388 / Agena D 1412). Orbit: 197 km x 382 km x 82.9° x 90.40 min. Decayed: 13 August 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched an unidentified satellite from a Thor-Agena D vehicle.” * * * * * Current overview: Twenty-third KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metre. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which were recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft.  Notes: On 28 July 1963, USAF reported that more than 70 per cent of satellites launched last year with recovery as goal were actually retrieved; in a more recent series, 88 per cent were recovered. Maj. Gen. Ben I. Funk, AFSSD Commander, said recovering capsules from space has reached “the point where recovery is accomplished on a routine basis.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-029A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 279, 288 ; Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

Discoverer 65 / KH-4A 1 / CORONA 69 Spacecraft:  KH-4A 1001 / CORONA J-1 / OPS 1419 (Discoverer 66) Chronologies: 1963 payload #62 ; 1963-034A ; 317th spacecraft, 636th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 25 August 1963 at 0h30 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C  377 / Agena D 1162). Orbit: 161 km x 320 km x 75.0° x 89.40 min. Decayed: 12 September 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched unidentified satellite from PMR using Thor-Agena D launch vehicle.” * * * * * Current overview: The first KH-4A was a 1,500-kg (or about 2,000 kg, including the Agena upper stage) surveillance satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The KH-4A spy satellites carried two panoramic cameras with a ground resolution of 2.7 meters as well as an 'index camera' with a ground resolution of 162 meters and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km. Some film was fogged and two buckets of film were never recovered. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-034A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 324 ; Gunter's KH-4A Corona ;

Discoverer 66 / KH-5 9 / CORONA 70 / ARGON 9 Spacecraft:  KH-5 9033 / ARGON 11 / OPS 1561 Chronologies: 1963 payload #63 ; 1963-035A ; 318th spacecraft, 637th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 29 August 1963 at 20h31 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A  394 / Agena D 1169). Orbit: 292 km x 324 km x 81.9° x 90.80 min. Decayed: 7 November 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched Thor-Agena D booster rocket with two unidentified satellites from Vandenberp AFB,” * * * * * Current overview: The ninth of the 1,000-kg KH-5 Argon series, which was the area survey component of the Corona program. Its camera has a ground resolution of 140 metres. The spacecraft remained fixed to the Agena  stage, which provided three axis control and propulsion during the mission. This mission is considered to be the best to date in the Argon program. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-035A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 327 ; Gunter's KH-5 Argon  ;

Discoverer 67 / KH-4A 2 / CORONA 71 Spacecraft:  KH-4A 1002 / CORONA J-2 / OPS 1353 Chronologies: 1963 payload #66 ; 1963-037A ; 321st spacecraft, 638th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 23 September 1963 at 23h00 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 383 / Agena D 1163). Orbit: 162 km x 442 km x 74.8° x 90.60 min. Decayed: 12 October 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF announced launching unidentified satellite with Thor-Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB.” (23 Sept 63) “DOD Iaunched unidentified satellite from PMR employing Thor-Agena D launch vehicle.” (24 Sept 63) * * * * * Current overview: The second KH-4A was a 1,500-kg (or about 2,000 kg, including the Agena upper stage) surveillance satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The KH-4A spy satellites carried two panoramic cameras with a ground resolution of 2.7 meters as well as an 'index camera' with a ground resolution of 162 meters and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km. Mission results were poor: severe light leaks, one film-recovery capsule was never recovered, and the KH-4A series was indefinitely postponed. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-037A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 350, 351 ; Gunter's KH-4A Corona ;

P-35-5 / DAPP 5 Spacecraft:  OPS 1610 ; Data Acquisition and Processing Program Chronologies: 1963 payload #67 ; 1963 15th loss ; 322nd spacecraft. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: U.S. Department of Defense Source : A, Parsch Launch: 27 September 1963 at 11h18 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-D, by a Scout (Scout X-2B S132). Orbit: N/a Decayed: 27 September 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched Scout vehicle from Vandenberg AFB with undisclosed payload.” * * * * * Current overview: P-35-5 was a 40-kg meteorological satellite to provide targetting information for reconnaisance satellites. It was lost following another Scout launcher failure. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's NNNS6305 ; Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 350, 358 ; Gunter's DSAP-1 ;

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Discoverer 68 / KH-5 10 / CORONA 72 / ARGON 1 Spacecraft:  KH-5 9059A / ARGON 6 / OPS 2437 Chronologies: 1963 payload #78 ; 1963-042A ; 333rd spacecraft, 681st space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 29 October 1963 at 21h19 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 386 / Agena D 1601). Orbit: 283 km x 318 km x 89.9° x 90.60 min. Decayed: 21 January 1964. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched two unidentified satellitm from Vanden'berg AFB, Calif.” * * * * * Current overview: The tenth of the 1,500-kg KH-5 Argon series, which was the area survey component of the Corona program. Its camera has a ground resolution of 140 metres. The spacecraft remained fixed to the Agena  stage, which provided three axis control and propulsion during the mission. Fourth film payload retrieved in ARGON program. Film comparable to that of Discoverer 60. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-042A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 407 ; Gunter's KH-5 Argon ;

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Hitchhiker 2 Spacecraft:  P-11 No. A3 /  Hitchhiker 2 P-11 No. 4001  Chronologies: 1963 payload #79 ; 1963-042B ; 334th spacecraft, 682nd space object catalogued. Type: Electronic Intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Department of Defense Launch: 29 October 1963 at 21h19 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 386 / Agena D 1601). Orbit: 288 km x 581 km x 90.0° s 93.30 min. Decayed: 23 May 1965 Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched two unidentified satellitm from Vanden'berg AFB, Calif.” * * * * * Current overview: Hitch Hiker 2 was a 60-kg (or 80-kg) electronic intelligence satellite that performed radar monitoring. It was the second of the first series of the so-called "Subsatellite Ferrets", low-orbit satellites that pinpoint and characterize different radar emitters in the Soviet Union and Warsaw pact states. As the proper name of these satellite has not been disclosed yet, they are referred to as "Subsatellite Ferret A" (SSF-A). This series was also known as Program 11 or P-11. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-042B ; Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 407 ; Gunter's P-11 ;

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Poliot 1 (Polet or Polyot) Spacecraft: I-2B No. 1, Polet meanss 'flight' in Russian. Chronologies: 1963 payload #80 ; 1963-043A ; 335th spacecraft, 683rd space object catalogued. Type: Science & Technology Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 1st November 1963 at 8h57 UT, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by a Polyot (11A59). Orbit: Initial: 339 km x 592 km  Final: 343 km x 1,437 km x 58°55' x 102.5 min. Final orbit (after manoeuvres): 331 km x 1,420 km x 58.9° x 102.40 min.  Decayed: 16 October 1982. Mission: Historical reports: Polet I (Flight I) was announced as a new type of maneuverable spacecraft for use in manned orbital rendezvous flight. After what were described as “repeated” changes in altitude and inclination, the spacecraft on 2 November attained “final orbit”. Premier Nikita Khrushchev announced the launching of Polet I: “… the present spaceship is really new. While the previous ships placed into orbit made flights mainly in the direction imparted to them when they were launched from Earth, the spacecraft that was lofted today is making wide maneuvers in space, varying the orbital plane and altitude.” U.S. space experts likened Polet I to the U.S. Gemini spacecraft, scheduled to make its first unmanned flight in late 1963 or early 1964.       Space expert Vladimir Dobronravov said that the spacecraft would be used for rendezvous and docking experiments. TASS mentioned the potential for reconnaissance, weather, or communications satellite. M. Litvin-Sedoi said it was a test of a system for construction of an orbiting space platform.  Premier Khrushchev sait that Polet I had made space rendezvous possible but that “no definite date” had been set for such an experiment.    Academician Mstislav V. Keldysh, president of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, said: “Maneuverable spacecraft will permit us to execute a landing from any orbit to a given ‘kosmodrom’; carry out a meeting in space of ships which are flying in different orbits; and also allow astronauts to select the most advantageous landing area. The ability of a ship to maneuver will make it possible for us to create heavy orbital scientific research stations in space so that we can exchange crews, replace scientific equipment and maintain a continuous supply of all that is necessary…”      U.S. tracking data on Polet I maneuverable spacecraft substantiated the Russian claim of change in apogee but indicated that any substantial change in plane had to be made before completion of the first orbit. According to Aviation Week, NORAD's initial orbital plane for the Russian satellite was 59.99", later revised to 58.89". Whether this 1.1° change was a result of a satellite maneuver or was merely a refinement of earlier data is uncertain. * * * * * Current overview: Polyot 1, or Polet 1, was a 1,400-kg (or 600-kg) technological satellite, the first of two spacecraft fitted with special controls to allow for maneuverability in space. It was thus able to change inclination as well as apogee and perigee. This mission also could be considered an early test flight of anti-satellite interceptors.  Officially, Polyot purpose was “the elaboration of system providing for the extensive manoeuvring of space apparatuses.”  This flight was considered a great success, since Polyot micro-engine fired 350 times and main stabilizing engine fired 300 times. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-043A ; Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 413, 418, 42102, 423, 428, 429 ; Gunter's Polyot 1 / I1 1 ;

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Discoverer 69 / KH-4 24 / CORONA 73 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9060 / CORONA M-24 / OPS 2268 Chronologies: 1963 payload #81 ; 1963 17th loss ; 336th spacecraft. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 9 November 1963 at 20h28 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 400 / Agena D 1171). Orbit: N/a. Decayed: 9 November 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched an unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., on board a Thor-Agena booster.” * * * * * Current overview: Twenty-fourth KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. The spacecraft was lost following a launch failure.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's NNNS6306 ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 427 : Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

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Kosmos 21 / 3MV-1 #1 Spacecraft:  3MV-1 No. 1 Chronologies: 1963 payload #82 ; 1963-044A ; 337th spacecraft, 687th space object catalogued. Type: Planetary probe (Venus Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 11 November 1963 at 6h23 UT, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78). Orbit: 195 km x 229 km x 64°50’ x 88.5 min. 192 km x 231 km x 64.8° x 88.70 min. Decayed: 25 November 1963. Mission: Historical reports: Cosmos XXI was officially “intended for continued space research.” * * * * * Current overview: Kosmos 21 was a 890-kg technological test of a new class of planetary probe. It was the first of the Soviet’s “third-generation” deep space probes of the 3MV series, designed to study Venus and Mars. This spacecraft was designed to verify key technological systems during a simple Moon flyby mission. It failed following the launcher’s fourth stages abnormally. After the craft had reached Earth orbit, ground control lost contact with the Blok L trans-lunar injection stage. Probably, the stage’s main engine turbopump exploded upon ignition, destroying the spacecraft, which decayed three days later. Notes: With this mission, the name Kosmos was given to Soviet spacecraft which remained in Earth orbit, regardless of whether or not that was their intended final destination. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-044A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 428 : Gunter's Zond (3MV-1A #1, 2) ;

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Kosmos 22 / Zenit-4 #1 Spacecraft:  Zenit-4 No. 1 Chronologies: 1963 payload #83 ; 1963-045A ; 338th spacecraft, 689th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 16 November 1963 at 10h34 UT, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: 205 km x 394 km x 64°56‘ x 90.3 min. 193 km x 376 km x 64.9° x 90.20 min. Decayed: 22 November 1963. Mission: Current overview: Kosmos 22 was a 4,730-kg (or 6,300-kg) satellite, the first second-generation, high-resolution photo-surveillance spacecraft. Its film capsule was recovered after 6 days. Source: Jonathan McDowell'sMaster List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-045A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 434 : Gunter's Zenit-4 ;

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Explorer 18 / IMP A Spacecraft:  IMP stands for Interplanetary Monitoring Platform. Chronologies: 1963 payload #84 ; 1963-046A ; 339th spacecraft, 693rd space object catalogued. Type: Earth/space Sciences Sponsor: NASA Launch: 27 November 1963 at 2h30 UT, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC-17B, by a Delta DSV-3C (Thor Delta C 387 / Delta 21). Orbit: 190 km x 197,600 km x 33.3° x 4 days. 192 km x 197,616 km x 33.3° x 5,666.20 min. Decayed: 30 November 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Explorer XVIII, the Interplanetery Monitoring Probe (IMP), is essentialy a continuation of the series of energetic particle spacecraft and similar in design and in some experiments to the earlier Explorer XII, Explorer XIV, and Explorer XV. Onboard instrumentation includes two magnetometers, three plasma probes, and five sets of low and medium energy particle detectors. Its 16-kg of instruments would measure the major magnetic field phenomena in space, including the interplanetary magnetic field, interactions of the streaming solar plasma and the geomagnetic field, galactic and solar radiation.      IMP data revealed a shock wave existed 86,250 km above Earth’s sunlit surface, formed by interaction of interplanetary magnetic field and high-speed constant wind of particles from the Sun. Between shock wave and upper edge of Van Allen belts, a region ranging in depth from 20 000 to 32,000 km, there is great turbulence; moderately energetic particles constantly flow into the region and drain away.      On 7 May 1964, Explorer XVII survived sub-zero temperatures during eight-hour flight in the Earth’s shadow, a duration record for satellites. It remained in the shadow for so long because of its highly eccentric orbit, carrying it out 196,000 km at apogee. As it entered the shadow, the craft shut off automatically, and temperatures on its surface fell to more than 400° below zero. After it emerged once again, its transmitter signal was picked up by NASA tracking station at Santiago, Chile.       On 17 September 1964, Explorer XVIII, silent since last June because of low power levels, resumed data transmission; it had reached a more favorable sun angle and was able to operate on power directly from its four solar panels. Data received from the satellite, based on preliminary analysis, were described as “good.”           On 15 December 1964, Dr. Norman F. Ness likened the Earth to a kind of comet with a long magnetic tail that extended for an unknown distance. The “new look” was drawn from results of the first detailed mapping of the Earth‘s magnetic field on the night-time side of the magnetosphere by Explorer XVII. Until recently, scientists had believed that the Earth’s magnetosphere was basically spherical. However, data from Explorer XVIII indicate that countless magnetic lines of force stretched out like the tail of a comet to an unknown distance in space, apparently beyond the Moon. Within this comet-like tail, the lines of force in the Northern Hemisphere were directed towards the Sun; in the Southern Hemisphere, away from the Sun. In between, there was a neutral zone. Dr. Ness characterized this neutral zone, which had been hypothesized but never before detected, as a thin sheet which was a permanent part of the Earth’s environment and virtually void of any magnetic activity. Though the neutral zone’s exact role was unknown, Dr. Ness speculated that it might be responsible for formation of the auroras and creation of the Van Allen radiation belt. Ness concluded that, in view of the evidence from Explorer XVIII, “The only difference between the earth and a comet is that the earth possesses a strong magnetic field and comets do not.” * * * * * Current overview: Explorer 18 was a 138-kg (or 62 kg) Earth/space sciences satellite instrumented for interplanetary and distant studies of energetic particles, cosmic rays, magnetic fields and plasmas. It was the first of three Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP). It performed normally until 30 May 1964, then intermittently until 10 May 1965, when it was abandoned. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-046A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 450 : Astronautics and Aeronautics 1964, p. 103, 168, 320, 420 ; Gunter's Explorer: IMP A, B, C ;

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AC-2 / Atlas-Centaur 2 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1963 payload #85 ; 1963-047A ; 340th spacecraft, 694th space object catalogued. Type: Technology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 27 November 1963 at 19h03 UT, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC-36A, by an Atlas-Centaur (Atlas LV-3C AC-2 / Centaur D 126D). Orbit: 550 km x 1,690 km x 30° x 108 min. 469 km x 1,478 km x 30.4° x 104.60 min. Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: AC-2 marks the first successful Atlas-Centaur space booster, “the world’s first successful flight of a hydrogen-oxygen rocket.” The booster performed perfectly and the Centaur second stage ignited its liquid-hydrogen engines in space and went into orbit as the heaviest object (4,750 kg) yet orbited by the U.S. Although another six flights remained before the Centaur could be considered operational, this first successful flight of the high-energy liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen booster was a major landmark in a development program dogged with delays and disappointmeiits (see notes below).  * * * * * Current overview: Second Atlas-Centaur launcher test, a 4,620-kg instrumented test vehicle. First successful Centaur (liquid hydrogen-fueled) flight, putting a dummy payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Notes: On 2 December 1963, Rep. George P. Miller (D.-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, reviewed Centaur development in speech on the House floor: “… Centaur began as a low-priority, financially austere feasibility study, in competition with high-priority defense programs. As its importance to the national space effort became more apparent, its terms of reference were changed; and, as time passed, its inherent technical difliculties came to the surface; tecnnical dficulties, I might add, that we have learned to expect in most new programs.       “Certainly, the original flight schedule of Centaur was overly optimistic. Hindsight also tells us thak the complexity of the program was greatly undemsthted…”      Referring to press articles charging $100 million was wasted in Centaur program, based on GAO mvestigative report, Rep. Miller painted out: “That report was misinterpreted by the press, and a closer look. at it will reveal that no such conclusion was drawn by the Comptroller General. $100 million waste included $76 million reportedly lost in the Advent project, the military communications satellite project…       “While there can be no doubt that certain program incurred losses because of the unavailability of Centaur on schedule, it is incorrect and unfair to attribute the entire unrecoverable loss associated with the Advent program to Centaur, as the press apparently did. Suffice it to say that the Advent project had its own severe management and technical difficulties which led to its cancellation in June 1962.”       He called the Nov. 27 flight test of AC-2 “a signiikant advance in the development of a new technology upon which much of America’s future space effort depends…” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-047A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 451, 458 : Gunter's Centaur AC-1, 2, 3 ;

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Discoverer 70 / KH-4 25 / CORONA 74 Spacecraft:  KH-4 9061 / CORONA M-25 / OPS 2260 Chronologies: 1963 payload #86 ; 1963-048A ; 341st spacecraft, 695th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 27 November 1963 at 21h16 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 406 / Agena D 1172). Orbit: 182 km x 368 km x 69.6° x 90.00 min. Decayed: 15 December 1963. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched a Thor-Agena D booster carrying an unidentified satellite.” * * * * * Current overview: Twenty-fifth KH-4 1,150-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metre. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which were recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft. The return capsule separated from the satellite but remained in orbit. Notes U.S. is recovering more than three of every four satellites launched in its orbit-recovery program, according to Maj. Gen. Benjamin I. Funk, AFSSD Commander: “In the recovery of satellites from orbit, we achieved a 75 per cent success record last year, and this rate has since improved even more.”  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-048A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 452, 466 : Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

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Kosmos / Zenit-2 #14 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 14 Chronologies: 1963 payload #87 ; 1963 18th loss ; 342nd spacecraft. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 28 November 1963, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: N/a Decayed: 28 November 1963. Mission: Current overview: This Kosmos was a 4,730-kg craft, the fourteenth first-generation, low-resolution photo surveillance satellite. The mission was a failure following launcher’s block E upper stage malfunction. This Zenit spacecraft was liquidated by the auto-destruction system.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; Gunter's Zenit-2 ;

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Transit 5BN2 Spacecraft:  Transit VBN-2 Chronologies: 1963 payload #88 ; 1963-049B ; 344th spacecraft, 704th space object catalogued. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy Launch: 5 December 1963 at 21h51 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 385 AB015). Orbit: 1,061 km x 1,110 km x 90.1° x 107.00 min. Decayed: (Still in orbit.) Mission: Historical reports: ”USAF launched two unidentified satellites using Thor-Able-Star launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB. ”      On 6 December 1963, AEC announced second U.S. satellite wholly powered by nuclear energy was launched into orbit recently by a Thor-Able-Star booster from Vandenberg AFB, and signals from the satellite were being transmitted sucessfully with electricity from the Snap-9A isotopic power generator. Designed to provide 25 watts of direct eiectricai current, the SNAP-9A was the same type of generator as that providing power for a satellite launched from Vandenberg earlier this year. The two SNAP-9A’s are designed for operating lifetime of five years. However, they are in orbits of at least 900 years so that by the time they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, they will be almost completely decayed. At that time, they are designed to burn into minute particles which will be widely dispersed in the atmosphere, thus increasing radioactivity in the atmosphere negligibly. * * * * * Current overview: Transit 5B2 was a 70/75-kg navigation satellite developed for updating the inertial navigation systems on board U.S. Navy Polaris submarines. This was an operational prototype powered by a SNAP-9A nuclear power source. This transit becamse the first operational navigation satellite; it was used regularly by both surface and submarine units of the Navy until November 1964. From this point in time the Navy had continuous use of satellite navigation. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-049B ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 464, 467 : Gunter's Transit-5BN 1, 2, 3 ;

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Transit 5E 3 Spacecraft:  Transit VE-3 Chronologies: 1963 payload #89 ; 1963-049C ; 345th spacecraft, 705th space object catalogued. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy Launch: 5 December 1963 at 21h51 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 385 AB015). Orbit: 1,060 km x 1,108 km x 90.1° x 106.90 min. Decayed: (Still in orbit.) Mission: Historical reports: ”USAF launched two unidentified satellites using Thor-Able-Star launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB. ” * * * * * Current overview: Transit 5E-3 was a 53-kg navigation technology satellite designed to obtain environmental data in the vicinity of the operational orbit of Transit satellites and used solar power. Mission objectives were: evaluate the effect on the operational system of refraction on radio signal propagation; test an experimental solid-state telemetry commutator; obtain flight test experience of battery-charge control by current limiting, since charge control circuitry was intended for use in future satellites. Mission objectives were only partially met, satellite transmissions were last received on 19 July 1964. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-049C ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 464 : Gunter's Transit-5E 3 ;

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Kosmos 23 / Omega-1 #2 Spacecraft: Omega-1 No. 2 Chronologies: 1963 payload #90 ; 1963-050A ; 346th spacecraft, 707th space object catalogued. Type: Technology (meteorology) Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 13 December 1963 at 14h15 UT, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's Mayak-2, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: 240 km x 613 km x 49° x 92.9 min. 232 km x 560 km x 48.9° x 92.40 min. Decayed: 26 March 1964. Mission: Historical reports: Kosmos 23 was reportedly said to carry “scientific instrumentation for continuing the study of outer space in accordance with the March 16, 1962's TASS announcement.”  TASS said onbarrd equipment was functioning normally.      On 26 March 1964, Cosmos XXIII burned up in the atmosphere between the Great Lakes and the northeastern Canadian coast, according to NORAD. Observers in Pendleton, Ore., and Duluth, Minn., reported seeing fiery streak in the sky, and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory officials at Cambridge, Mass., said they assumed the streak was the reenterinn satellite. * * * * * Current overview: Kosmos 23 was the second 347-kg technology satellite to test orientation and stabilization systems (flywheels) for future Meteor weather satellites. (The first one was Kosmos 14.) This system provided three-axis stabilization and oriented the spacecraft toward Earth’s center. Kosmos 23 may have also carried the first Russian meteorological scanning infrared radiometer to obtain crude nighttime pictures of the Earth's cloud cover. It was a cylinder, 1.8-meter-long and 1.2-meter in diameter, with two hemispherical ends. Tests were made of power supplies that used solar cell batteries. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-050A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 477 : Astronautics and Aeronautics 1964, p. 116 ; Gunter's Omega ;

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KH-7 4 / Gambit-1 4 Spacecraft:  KH-7 no. 4 / GAMBIT SV 954 / OPS 2372 / AFP-206 Chronologies: 1963 payload #91 ; 1963-051A ; 347th spacecraft, 711th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 18 December 1963 at 21h45 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base (Point Arguello)'s LC2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 227D / Agena D S01A 4802). Orbit: 126 km x 271 km x 97.9°  122 km x 266 km x 97.9° x 88.50 min. Decayed: 20 December 1963 (1.3 day). Mission: Historical reports: ”USAF launched an Atlas-Agena D booster rocket combination launched an unidentified satellite.” * * * * * Current overview: Fourth KH-7 (Keyhole 7) Gambit-1 surveillance satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). These spacecraft weight approximately 2,000 kg and was a long cylinder, 1.5 meter in diameter and about 5 meters long, ending with a reentry capsule (SRV). The SRV was a 0.8-meter-long, 0.7-meter -diameter rounded cone with a mass of about 160 kg. The KH-7 was the first successful high-resolution space reconnaissance program, its cameras providing sufficiently high-resolution to identify and measure the properties of targets such as missiles and aircraft (in contrast to the lower resolution KH satelites which was only able to locate such targets). KH-7’s success caused the cancellation of the troubled KH-6 Lanyard program after only three launches. On this mission, for the first time, the OCV (Orbital Control Vehicle) and its payload detached from the Agena to conduct the photographic phase of the mission. It was successful, and the capsule was recovered the next day. Notes: In the December 8, 1963 Washinton Post, Howard Simons reviewed reconnaissance satellites, regerring to previously released information and statements regarding a so-called “Samos” project, and inferring that “Samos” satellites were now operational. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-051A ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; Space Review's 5 Jan 09 ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 471, 486 : Gunter's KH-7 Gambit-1 ;

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Kosmos 24 / Zenit-2 #15 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 15 Chronologies: 1963 payload #92 ; 1963-052A ; 348th spacecraft, 712th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 19 December 1963 at 09h29 UT, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 211 km x 409 km x 65° x 90.5 min. 204 km x 391 km x 65.0° s 90.50 min. Decayed: 28 December 1963. Mission: Historical reports: TASS said the satellite carried scientific instrumentation for “continuing the study of outer space” in ampdance with program announced March 16, 1962, and the onboard equiment was functionin normauy. * * * * * Current overview: Kosmos 24 was a 4,730-kg craft, the fifteenth first-generation, low-resolution photo surveillance satellite. Its film capsule was recovered after 9 days.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-052A ; TRW Space Log ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 487 : Gunter's Zenit-2 ;

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Explorer 19 / AD-A Spacecraft: AD stands for Air Density Chronologies: 1963 payload #93 ; 1963-053A ; 349th spacecraft, 714th space object catalogued. Type: Earth/space Sciences Sponsor: NASA Launch: 19 December 1963 at 18h49 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-D, by a Scout IX-4 S122R). Orbit: 621 km x 2,394 km x 78.62° x 115.8 min. 597 km x 2,391 km x 78.6° x 115.90 min. Decayed: 10 May 1981. Mission: Historical reports: Explorer XIX is a 8.0-kg polka-dot balloon satellite that, like Explorer IX, is an atmospheric density satellite. Because of its large surface area and very low mass, such a satellite is very sensitive to fluctuations in density in the upper atmosphere. These changes, largely caused by variations in solar radiation, can be measured by fluctuations in the satellite’s orbit. Explorer XIX was launched into polar orbit and, when tracked by NASA and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for a good portion of an 11-yr. solar cycle, should provide atmospheric density data on the Earth’s high latitudes comparable to those provided by Explorer IX for the lower latitudes. Apogee was lower than planned and resulted in an orbital period almost six minutes less than planned. This, plus a very weak signal from the tracking beacon on the satellite, caused several days’ delay in confirming satellite inflation and in defining the orbital data. * * * * * Current overview: Explorer 19 was the second in a series of 7.7-kg, 3.66-m inflatable spheres placed into orbit to determine atmospheric densities. It carried a beacon transponder for tracking. The satellite was launched while Explorer 9, the first satellite in the series, was still active, so that densities in two different portions of the atmosphere were sampled simultaneously. The spacecraft consisted of alternating layers of aluminum foil and plastic film. Uniformly distributed over the aluminum outer surface were 5.1-cm dots of white paint for thermal control. The satellite was successfully orbited, but its apogee was lower than planned. Its beacon did not have sufficient power to be received by ground tracking stations, making it necessary to rely solely on the Baker-Nunn camera network for tracking.  Notes: The satellite was placed in orbit by a new four-stage Scout booster. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-053A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 486-7 : Gunter's Explorer: AD ;

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Tiros 8 Spacecraft:  Tiros H / A-53 TIROS means Television and InfraRed Observation Satellite. Chronologies: 1963 payload #94 ; 1963-054A ; 350th spacecraft, 716th space object catalogued. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 21 December 1963 at 9h30 UT, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC-17B, by a Delta DSV-3B (Thor Delta B 371 / Delta 22). Orbit: 763 km x 963 km x 58.49° x 99.3 min. 667 km x 705 km x 58.5° x 98.50 min. Decayed: (Still in orbit.) Mission: Historical reports: TIROS VIIi (A-53) is a meteorological satellite. In addition to the usual wide-angle TV camera transmitting cloud-cover pictures once an orbit to a rather sophisticated ground station, featured the first orbiting of the automatic picture transmission system (APT), designed to provide real-time local weather information to any area in the world by means of a simple, inexpensive ($32,000) ground station. APT equipment in the satellite was a 11-kg package including a new wide-angle (108’) Tegea-lens TV camera, with its storage and slow-scan transmission system. Preliminary results from the new system were excellent.      NASA announced on 7 March 1964 that TIROS VIII was performing highly successfully in automatic transmission of cloud pictures to ground stations around the world. “Reports from 47 ground stations around the world, including five foreign stations, show that with one exception, results have been satisfactory. TV signal strength has been good, tracking of the spacecraft based on data furnished daily by NASA has been easy for the ground stations, and picture contrast of the cloud cover photos generally has been excellent.”      On 16 May 1964, it was revealed that the eight TIROS meteorological satellites had taken more than 350,000 photographs from altitudes above 650 km. Meanwhile, the speotacularly successful weather-forecasting satellites did not live up to the one-time charge of “spying,” for of all the pictures, only two showed any indication of existence of intelligent life on earth - and both of these pictures required corroborative knowledge to identify them.      In mid-July 1964, the U.S. Weather Bureau reported that the Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) pictures from TIROS VIII were no longer usable. Useful APT pictures totaled 4,067. * * * * * Current overview: TIROS 8 was a 265-kg (or 119 kg) meteorological satellite designed with improved capabilities for cloud-cover TV pictures. It was the first satellite equipped with Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) capabilities, which provided real-time Earth-cloud pictures taken by the satellite to any properly equipped ground receiving station. In addition, the satellite carried one wide-angle (104°) TV camera. The craft was a 18-sided prism, 107 cm across opposite corners ,and 56 cm high.  Electrical power was supplied by approximately 9,000 silicon solar cells mounted on the cover assamby and by 21 nickel-cadmium batteries. TIROS 8 performed normally after launch. Over 50 ground stations participated in the APT experiment, which was terminated by the end of April 1964 to degradation of the APT camera. The wide-angle TV camera transmitted useful data until 12 February 1966. The satellite was deactivated on 1 July 1967, after being left on for an additional time period for engineering purposes. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-054A ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 489 : Astronautics and Aeronautics 1964, p. 100 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 178, 251 ; Gunter's Tiros 1 to 10 ;

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Discoverer 71 / KH-4 26 / CORONA 75 Spacecraft: KH-4 9062 / CORONA M-26 / OPS 1388 Chronologies: 1963 payload #95 ; 1963-055A ; 351st spacecraft, 718th space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth Surveillance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 21 December 1963 at 21h46 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 398 / Agena D 1168). Orbit: 178 km x 337 km x 64.8° x 89.70 min. Decayed: 8 January 1964. Mission: Historical reports: ”USAF launched Thor-Agena D booster rocket with unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.” * * * * * Current overview: Twenty-sixth and last KH-4 1,500-kg surveillance satellite. Keyhole-4 was the fourth version in the Corona series, based on the Agena upper stage (which provided attitude control in orbit). This series introduced a second camera to provide stereoscopic imaging - each 'Mural' panoramic cameras were mounted with 30 degrees separation angle – with a ground resolution of 7.6 metre. It also carried an index camera with a ground resolution of 162 metres and frame coverage of 308 km × 308 km.  The film were returned to Earth onboard a single Satellite Return Vehicle (SRV), which were recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped aircraft. Corona static fogged much of the film. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-055A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 489 : Gunter's KH-4 Corona ;

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Hitchhiker 3 / P-11 3 Spacecraft: P-11 No. A4 Chronologies: 1963 payload #96 ; 1963-055B ; 352nd spacecraft, 719th space object catalogued. Type: Electronic Intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Department of Defense Launch: 21 December 1963 at 21h45 UT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 398 / Agena D 1168). Orbit: 316 km x 394 km x 64.5° x 91.70 min. Decayed: 7 November 1964. Mission: Historical reports: ”On a date not released, DOD launched a pickaback satellite attached to a principal satellite payload boosted by Thor-Agena D.” * * * * * Current overview: Hitch Hiker 3 was a 60-kg (or 80-kg) radar monitoring satellite. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica 1963 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's 1963-055B ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 489 : Gunter's P-11 ;