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Other Designations: Program 102. Manufacturer's Designation: 698BK. Code Name: Program 770. Class: SIGINT. Destination: Surveillance Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: U.S. Air Force.

Still classified, Agena-launched Program 102 Ferret signals intelligence satellites provided the US with its first space-borne ELINT coverage in the 1960's. The Ferrets catalogued Soviet air defense radars, eavesdropped on voice communications, and taped missile and satellite telemetry. Also designated 698BK and Program 770.

Typical orbit: 483 km circular orbit, 77.3 deg inclination. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb).

Ferret Chronology
  • 1962 February 21 - Ferret 1 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Partial failure. Agena failed to restart to circularize orbit. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 219 km (136 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 88.30 min.

  • 1962 June 18 - Ferret 2 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 347 km (215 mi). Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 91.80 min.

  • 1962 June 18 - FTV 2312 - Program: ELINT. Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

  • 1963 January 16 - OPS 0180 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 461 km (286 mi). Apogee: 522 km (324 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 94.40 min.

  • 1963 June 29 - OPS 1440 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 487 km (302 mi). Apogee: 530 km (320 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 94.80 min.

  • 1964 January 11 - Agena D 2354 - Program: ELINT. Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 906 km (562 mi). Apogee: 937 km (582 mi). Inclination: 69.90 deg. Period: 103.50 min.
    Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • 1964 February 28 - OPS 3722 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 491 km (305 mi). Apogee: 516 km (320 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 94.70 min.

  • 1964 July 2 - OPS 3395 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 502 km (311 mi). Apogee: 520 km (320 mi). Inclination: 82.10 deg. Period: 94.90 min.

  • 1964 November 4 - OPS 3062 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 512 km (318 mi). Apogee: 526 km (326 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 95.00 min.

  • 1964 December 21 - OPS 3762/Agena D 2355 - Program: ELINT. Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Perigee: 238 km (147 mi). Apogee: 264 km (164 mi). Inclination: 70.10 deg. Period: 89.50 min.
    Unknown mission. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • 1965 July 17 - OPS 8411 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 471 km (292 mi). Apogee: 512 km (318 mi). Inclination: 70.20 deg. Period: 94.50 min.

  • 1966 February 9 - OPS 1439 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 507 km (315 mi). Apogee: 511 km (317 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 94.70 min.

  • 1966 December 29 - OPS 1584 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 487 km (302 mi). Apogee: 495 km (307 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.40 min.

  • 1967 July 25 - OPS 1879 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 390 km (240 mi). Apogee: 608 km (377 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 94.50 min.

  • 1968 January 17 - OPS 1965 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 462 km (287 mi). Apogee: 536 km (333 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

  • 1968 October 5 - OPS 0964 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 483 km (300 mi). Apogee: 511 km (317 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

  • 1969 July 31 - OPS 8285 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 465 km (288 mi). Apogee: 536 km (333 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

  • 1970 August 26 - OPS 8329 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 496 km (308 mi). Apogee: 499 km (310 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.50 min.

  • 1971 July 16 - OPS 8373 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 450 km (270 mi). Apogee: 460 km (280 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 93.60 min.

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.