United States Air ForceAtlas LV-3 Agena BSpace Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
MIDAS 4 & Westford-1
Launched
October 21, 1961
Image: NASA
Summary
MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1 launched on an United States Air Force Atlas LV-3 Agena B from Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on October 21, 1961. It was United States Air Force's 62nd launch, 24th this year and humanity's 129th orbital launch attempt. It was the 5th 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
- 5th Atlas LV-3 Agena B flightUnited States Air Force's 62nd launch24th this yearhumanity's 129th orbital launch attempt36th orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
MIDAS 4 was a US Air Force infrared missile-warning satellite that also carried the first Project West Ford dispenser of copper needles, an MIT Lincoln Laboratory experiment to create an artificial radio-reflecting belt. The Atlas lost roll control and the Agena reached a lower orbit than planned; the needles failed to disperse and MIDAS 4 lost power within about a week.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
2nd launch from Space Launch Complex 3E, 2nd this year · 37th from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
48 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
100 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1 launch?
MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1 launched on October 21, 1961. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1?
Atlas LV-3 Agena B, flown by United States Air Force. Atlas LV-3 Agena B spec sheet
Where did MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1 launch from?
Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit was MIDAS 4 / West Ford 1 going to?
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), a government/top secret mission.