![Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D (Nimbus 3) [NASA]](/media?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthespacedevs-prod.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2Fthorad-slv2g_ag_image_20251102061406.jpg&w=1600)
United States Air ForceThorad SLV-2G Agena DSpace Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Strawman 3
Launched
August 26, 1970
Image: NASA
Summary
Strawman 3 launched on an United States Air Force Thorad SLV-2G Agena D from Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on August 26, 1970. It was United States Air Force's 528th launch, 19th this year and humanity's 1,118th orbital launch attempt. It was the 28th Thorad SLV-2G Agena D flight and the 3rd this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). It reached a 492 × 509 km orbit inclined 75.0°. One object from this launch is catalogued.
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Thorad SLV-2G Agena D · United States Air Force
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Government/Top Secret · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 28th Thorad SLV-2G Agena D flight · 3rd this yearUnited States Air Force's 528th launch19th this yearhumanity's 1,118th orbital launch attempt72nd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
Orbit: as tracked
OPS 8329 · NORAD 4503 · 1970-066 · Space-Track
Show the numbers for orbit elements
- Object
- TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED
- Object ID
- 1970-066A
- Epoch
- 1970-08-27 09:03:55 UTC
- Mean motion
- 15.24202507 rev/day
- Eccentricity
- 0.0012754
- Inclination
- 74.9775°
- Ascending node
- 193.5329°
- Arg. of perigee
- 266.9906°
- Mean anomaly
- 92.9788°
- Element set
- 999
- Rev at epoch
- 15
- B*
- 0
Perigee, apogee and period are Kepler figures from the catalogued mean elements, not a propagated state. Published orbit: LEO.
Catalogued objects
1 catalogued: 1 payload; none still in orbit
- OPS 8329 · NORAD 4503 · re-entered March 26, 1975
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
The Strawman series of ELINT/SIGINT satellites, known for decades only as "Heavy Ferrets", are the fourth variation of Agena-based ELINT satellites. These satellites were designed to detect, map and investigate SAM and ABM radars.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
53rd launch from Space Launch Complex 1W, 1st this year · 351st from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
56 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
329 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did Strawman 3 launch?
Strawman 3 launched on August 26, 1970. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch Strawman 3?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched Strawman 3?
Thorad SLV-2G Agena D, flown by United States Air Force. Thorad SLV-2G Agena D spec sheet
Where did Strawman 3 launch from?
Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit did Strawman 3 reach?
It reached a 492 × 509 km orbit inclined 75.0°.
How many satellites did Strawman 3 launch?
1 payload from this launch is catalogued, no longer in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).