United States Air ForceAtlas LV-3 Agena BSpace Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
MIDAS 3
Launched
July 12, 1961
Image: NASA
Summary
MIDAS 3 launched on an United States Air Force Atlas LV-3 Agena B from Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on July 12, 1961. It was United States Air Force's 51st launch, 13th this year and humanity's 116th orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Atlas LV-3 Agena B flight. The payload was bound for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Atlas LV-3 Agena B · United States Air Force
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Government/Top Secret · Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
- Milestone
- 2nd Atlas LV-3 Agena B flightUnited States Air Force's 51st launch13th this yearhumanity's 116th orbital launch attempt23rd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
MIDAS 3 was a US Air Force missile-warning satellite carrying an infrared sensor to detect the hot exhaust of ICBM launches. It was the first MIDAS placed in the intended high polar orbit, but one solar panel failed to deploy and the satellite died after a few orbits.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
1st launch from Space Launch Complex 3E, 1st this year · 29th from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
48 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
under an hour after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did MIDAS 3 launch?
MIDAS 3 launched on July 12, 1961. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch MIDAS 3?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched MIDAS 3?
Atlas LV-3 Agena B, flown by United States Air Force. Atlas LV-3 Agena B spec sheet
Where did MIDAS 3 launch from?
Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit was MIDAS 3 going to?
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), a government/top secret mission.