KH-3 Corona (original) (raw)
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 KH-3 5 [USAF] |
 KH-3 6 [USAF] |
|---|
The KH-3 (Keyhole-3) was third version in the Corona-program to build an optical reconnaissance satellite. These satellites were all launched under the name Discoverer.
The KH-3 payload consisted of the further improved C''' (Corona triple-prime) single panoramic camera and a single General Electric return vehicle (SRV, Satellite Return Vehicle). The C'''-camera was built by Itek Corporation and with a f/3.5 aperture and 61 cm focal length had a ground resolution of 7.5 m.
The satellite was based on the Agena-B upper stage, which provided attitude control in orbit. The film return capsule carried its own small solid-fuel retro motor to deorbit at the end of the mission with mid-air recovery of the returning capsule by a specially equipped aircraft.
The last mission of this series, KH-3 6, was modified and used a forward structure similar to the later KH-4 series with the KH-3 camera.
Six KH-3 satellites were launched, of which four resulted in a successful return of film. One mission failed to orbit. KH-3 5 deployed the small OSCAR 1 ammateur satellite.
Secondary Payloads
Some satellites carried secondary payloads mounted on the satellite:
- Discoverer 29 (KH-3 1) carried the Texas Pint (Aftrack 12) ELINT payload, the Vela Hotel Package 1 and a GRD Package (Module 103?)
- Discoverer 30 (KH-3 2) carried the Topsoc 1 (Aftrack 13) ELINT payload and a GRD Package (Horizon Sensor Experiment)
- Discoverer 31 (KH-3 3) carried the Topsoc 2 (Aftrack 14) ELINT payload, the Vela Hotel Package 2 and a GRD Package (Module 105?)
- Discoverer 32 (KH-3 4) carried the Topsoc 3 (Aftrack 15) ELINT payload, Research Payload Kit No. 3B (Module 106?) and a TR-17 type SECOR transponder
- Discoverer 36 (KH-3 5) carried the Grape Juice 1 (Aftrack 17) COMINT payload, the Vela Hotel Package 4, the GRD Package (Module 108?) and a TR-17 type SECOR transponder
- Discoverer 37 (KH-3 6) carried the Taki (3) (Aftrack 19) ELINT payload and the LPARL Aurora 1962a (Module 109?) payload
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Reconnaissance, photo (film return type) |
| Operator: | CIA |
| Contractors: | Lockheed |
| Equipment: | C'''-Camera |
| Configuration: | Agena-B, 1 SRV |
| Propulsion: | Bell 8081, Star-12 retro motor |
| Power: | Batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KH-3 1 (Corona 29, Mission 9023, Discoverer 29, Texas Pint) | 1961 ψ | 30.08.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-3 2 (Corona 30, Mission 9022, Discoverer 30, Topsoc 1) | 1961 ω 1 | 12.09.1961 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-3 3 (Corona 31, Mission 9024, Discoverer 31, Topsoc 2) | 1961 αβ | 17.09.1961 | Va 75-1-1 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-3 4 (Corona 32, Mission 9025, Discoverer 32, Topsoc 3) | 1961 αγ 1 | 13.10.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-3 5 (Corona 36, Mission 9029, Discoverer 36, Grape Juice 1) | 1961 ακ 1 | 12.12.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | with OSCAR 1 |
| KH-3 6 (Corona 37, Mission 9030, Discoverer 37, Taki (3)) | 1962-F01 | 13.01.1962 | Va 75-3-4 | F | Thor-DM21 Agena-B |