Template:Infobox spaceflight
The launch of Discoverer 19
Discoverer 19, also known as RM-1, was an American satellite which was launched in 1960. It was a technology demonstration spacecraft, based on an Agena-B.[1]
The launch of Discoverer 19 occurred at 20:32 UTC on 20 December 1960. A Thor DM-21 Agena-B rocket was used, flying from Launch Complex 75-3-5 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base.[2] Upon successfully reaching orbit, it was assigned the Harvard designation 1960 Tau 1.
Discoverer 19 was operated in a low Earth orbit, with a perigee of 206 kilometres (Template:Convert/round mi), an apogee of 578 kilometres (Template:Convert/round mi), 83.4 degrees of inclination, and a period of 92.4 minutes.[3] The satellite had a mass of 1,060 kilograms (Template:Convert/round lb),[4] and was used to demonstrate technology for the Midas programme,[5] including infrared sensors.[4] It remained in orbit until 23 January 1961,[3] when it decayed and reentered the atmosphere.
References[]
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "RM 1, 2 (Discoverer 19, 21)". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/rm-1.htm. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/log/satcat.txt. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wade, Mark. "Midas". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/craft/midas.htm. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ "Discoverer 19". NSSDC Master Catalog. NASA. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1960-019A. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
| ||||||||
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). | 
|