April 13, 1959 9:18 pm
Discoverer 2
|
Thor Agena A
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Share:
Last Updated:
2026-07-14 00:16:18
Discoverer II successfully reached orbit and took photos of Earth. However, when the capsule with the data was ejected in order to re-enter the atmosphere there was a timer malfunction meaning it seperated too early and landed over the North Pole rather than the intended target of Hawaii. The capsule was never recovered.
Launch Overview
Window Open
21:18 UTC
Window Close
21:18 UTC
Lift Off
Apr 13, 1959 · 21:18 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 2
Rocket
Thor Agena A
Destination
Polar Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
Discoverer II successfully reached orbit and took photos of Earth. However, when the capsule with the data was ejected in order to re-enter the atmosphere there was a timer malfunction meaning it seperated too early and landed over the North Pole rather than the intended target of Hawaii. The capsule was never recovered.
Height
LEO Payload
Total Launches
Status
United States Air Force
Space Launch Complex 1W
Launch Overview
Window Open
21:18 UTC
Window Close
21:18 UTC
Lift Off
Apr 13, 1959 · 21:18 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 2
Rocket
Thor Agena A
Destination
Polar Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
Related Stories
