February 28, 1959 9:49 pm

Discoverer 1

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Thor Agena A

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Days
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February 28, 1959 9:49 pm

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Last Updated:

2026-07-14 00:16:42

Discoverer I was the first of a series of satellites part of the CORONA reconnaissance program. This satellite didn’t take a camera or film system as it was intended as a test. There were issues communicating with the satellite during flight with only intermittent signals being read.
Launch Overview
Window Open 21:49 UTC
Window Close 21:49 UTC
Lift Off Feb 28, 1959 · 21:49 UTC
Launch Facility Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch Pad Space Launch Complex 1W
Target Orbit Polar Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer United States Air Force
Payload Discoverer 1
Rocket Thor Agena A
Destination Polar Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship
Discoverer I was the first of a series of satellites part of the CORONA reconnaissance program. This satellite didn’t take a camera or film system as it was intended as a test. There were issues communicating with the satellite during flight with only intermittent signals being read.

Height

LEO Payload

Total Launches

Status

United States Air Force
Space Launch Complex 1W
Launch Overview
Window Open 21:49 UTC
Window Close 21:49 UTC
Lift Off Feb 28, 1959 · 21:49 UTC
Launch Facility Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch Pad Space Launch Complex 1W
Target Orbit Polar Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer United States Air Force
Payload Discoverer 1
Rocket Thor Agena A
Destination Polar Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship

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