Discoverer 19

Discoverer 19

Mission type	Technology
Operator	US Air Force/ARPA
Harvard designation	1960 Tau 1
COSPAR ID	1960-019A
SATCAT no.	00068
Spacecraft properties
Bus	Agena-B
Manufacturer	Lockheed
Launch mass	1,060 kilograms (2,340 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	20 December 1960, 20:32 (1960-12-20UTC20:32Z) UTC
Rocket	Thor DM-21 Agena-B 258
Launch site	Vandenberg LC-75-3-5
End of mission
Decay date	23 January 1961 (1961-01-24)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Perigee altitude	206 kilometers (128 mi)
Apogee altitude	578 kilometers (359 mi)
Inclination	83.4 degrees
Period	92.4 minutes
Discoverer Midas

The launch of Discoverer 19

Discoverer 19, also known as RM-1, was an American satellite which was launched in 1960. It was a technology demonstration spacecraft, based on an Agena-B.[1]

The launch of Discoverer 19 occurred at 20:32 UTC on 20 December 1960. A Thor DM-21 Agena-B rocket was used, flying from Launch Complex 75-3-5 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base.[2] Upon successfully reaching orbit, it was assigned the Harvard designation 1960 Tau 1.

Discoverer 19 was operated in a low Earth orbit, with a perigee of 206 kilometres (128 mi), an apogee of 578 kilometres (359 mi), 83.4 degrees of inclination, and a period of 92.4 minutes.[3] The satellite had a mass of 1,060 kilograms (2,340 lb),[4] and was used to demonstrate technology for the Midas programme,[5] including infrared sensors.[4] Communication with the satellite was lost on Christmas Day 1960. It remained in orbit until 23 January 1961,[3] when it decayed and reentered the atmosphere.

References

1. Krebs, Gunter. "RM 1, 2 (Discoverer 19, 21)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
2. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
4. Wade, Mark. "Midas". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
5. "Discoverer 19". NSSDC Master Catalog. NASA. Retrieved 30 June 2010.