United States Air ForceThor Agena ASpace Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Discoverer 2
Launched
April 13, 1959
Image: USAF
Summary
Discoverer 2 launched on an United States Air Force Thor Agena A from Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on April 13, 1959. It was United States Air Force's 2nd launch, 2nd this year and humanity's 36th orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Thor Agena A flight. The payload was bound for Polar Orbit (PO).
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Thor Agena A · United States Air Force
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Government/Top Secret · Polar Orbit (PO)
- Milestone
- 2nd Thor Agena A flightUnited States Air Force's 2nd launch2nd this yearhumanity's 36th orbital launch attempt5th orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
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.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
2nd launch from Space Launch Complex 1W, 2nd this year · 2nd from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
56 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
43 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did Discoverer 2 launch?
Discoverer 2 launched on April 13, 1959. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch Discoverer 2?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched Discoverer 2?
Thor Agena A, flown by United States Air Force. Thor Agena A spec sheet
Where did Discoverer 2 launch from?
Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit was Discoverer 2 going to?
Polar Orbit (PO), a government/top secret mission.