LAUNCH CENTER

Failure

Tue Dec 09 1980

United States Air Force

Parcae 4A,B,C & MSD 4

Launch Failure

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(7:18 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(7:18 AM UTC)

Launch Window End

(7:18 AM UTC)

RECOVERY OVERVIEW

Location

No Recovery Specified

Type

No Recovery Specified

Rocket Details

Name:

Atlas E MSD

Description:

The Atlas E/F (or SB-1A) was an American expendable launch system and sounding rocket built using parts of decommissioned SM-65 Atlas missiles. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.

MISSION OVERVIEW

Type: Government/Top Secret
The Parcae satellites were passive ELINT satellites. MSD satellites were dispensers of triplets of ocean surveillance satellites.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Pad

Space Launch Complex 3W