KH-4A home
topic index
Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Destination: Surveillance Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Manufacturer: Lockheed.

Early US reconnaissance satellite. Carried two 'J-1' panoramic cameras, with a focal length of 61 cm, and a ground resolution of 2.7 m. Ground swath was 19.7 km x 267 km. Also carried a 1.5 inch index camera, with a focal length of 38 mm, a ground resolution of 162 m, and frame coverage of 308 km x 308 km.

Typical orbit: 182 km x 388 km at 51.2 to 100.1 degrees inclin. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).

KH-4A Chronology
  • 1963 August 25 - KH-4A 1001 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 161 km (100 mi). Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 89.40 min.
    KH-4A. First mission of KH-4A. Some film was fogged. Two buckets but 1001-2 was never recovered.

  • 1963 September 23 - KH-4A 1002 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 162 km (100 mi). Apogee: 442 km (274 mi). Inclination: 74.80 deg. Period: 90.60 min.
    KH-4A. Severe light leaks, 1002-2 never recovered, indefinite postponement of KH-4A series.

  • 1964 February 15 - KH-4A 1004 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,590 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Apogee: 429 km (266 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
    KH-4A. Main cameras operated satisfactorily. Minor degradations due to static and light leaks.

  • 1964 March 24 - ORBIS 1 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure.

  • 1964 March 24 - KH-4A 1003 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb).
    KH-4A. Mission failed.

  • 1964 March 24 - SRV 631 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure.

  • 1964 March 24 - SRV 630 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure.

  • 1964 April 27 - KH-4A 1005 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 175 km (108 mi). Apogee: 445 km (276 mi). Inclination: 79.90 deg. Period: 90.80 min.
    KH-4A. Mission failed. Recovery vehicle impacted in Venezuela.

  • 1964 June 4 - KH-4A 1006 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 149 km (92 mi). Apogee: 429 km (266 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min.
    KH-4A. Highest quality imagery attained to date from the KH-4 system.

  • 1964 June 19 - KH-4A 1007 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 451 km (280 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 90.90 min.
    KH-4A. Out-of-focus area on some film.

  • 1964 July 10 - KH-4A 1008 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Inclination: 84.90 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
    KH-4A. Cameras operated satisfactorily, some light leaks.

  • 1964 August 5 - KH-4A 1009 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,540 kg (3,390 lb). Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 436 km (270 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.70 min.
    KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully.

  • 1964 September 14 - KH-4A 1010 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,330 kg (2,930 lb). Perigee: 174 km (108 mi). Apogee: 455 km (282 mi). Inclination: 84.90 deg. Period: 90.90 min.
    KH-4A. Small out of focus areas on both cameras at random times throughout the mission.

  • 1964 October 5 - KH-4A 1011 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 440 km (270 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.80 min.
    KH-4A. Primary mode of recovery failed on second portion of the mission (1011-2). Small out of focus areas present at random on both cameras.

  • 1964 October 17 - KH-4A 1012 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 189 km (117 mi). Apogee: 416 km (258 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 90.60 min.
    KH-4A. Vehicle attitude became erratic on the second portion of the mission necessitating an early recovery.

  • 1964 November 2 - KH-4A 1013 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). Inclination: 51.20 deg. Period: 88.40 min.
    KH-4A. Program anomaly occurred immediately after launch when both cameras operated for 417 frames. Main cameras ceased operation on rev 52D of first portion of mission negating second portion. About 65% of aft camera film is out of focus.

  • 1964 November 18 - KH-4A 1014 (ORBIS) - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Apogee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min.
    KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully.

  • 1964 November 18 - ORBIS - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

  • 1964 December 19 - KH-4A 1015 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Apogee: 405 km (251 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
    KH-4A. Discrepancies in planned and actual coverage due to telemetry problems during the first 6 revolutions. Small out-of-focus areas on film from aft camera.

  • 1965 January 15 - KH-4A 1016 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 420 km (260 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
    KH-4A. Smearing of highly reflective images due to reflections within camera.

  • 1965 February 25 - KH-4A 1017 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
    KH-4A. Capping shutter malfunction occurred during last 5 passes of mission.

  • 1965 March 25 - KH-4A 1018 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 237 km (147 mi). Apogee: 381 km (236 mi). Inclination: 96.00 deg. Period: 90.70 min.
    KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully. First KH-4A reconnaissance system to be launched into a retrograde orbit.

  • 1965 April 29 - SRV 627 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 509 km (316 mi). Inclination: 84.90 deg. Period: 91.00 min.
    Cameras operated successfully. Malfunction in recovery mode on 1019-2 negated recovery.

  • 1965 April 29 - KH-4A 1019 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 461 km (286 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 91.00 min.
    KH-4A. Cameras operated successfully. Malfunction in recovery mode on 1019-2 negated recovery.

  • 1965 May 18 - KH-4A 1021 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 321 km (199 mi). Apogee: 399 km (247 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 91.70 min.
    KH-4A. Aft camera ceased operation on pass 102.

  • 1965 June 9 - KH-4A 1020 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 176 km (109 mi). Apogee: 355 km (220 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily. Erratic attitude caused an early recovery after the second day of 1020-2.

  • 1965 July 19 - KH-4A 1022 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 189 km (117 mi). Apogee: 461 km (286 mi). Inclination: 85.10 deg. Period: 91.00 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1965 August 17 - KH-4A 1023 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 399 km (247 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min.
    KH-4A. Program anomaly caused the fore camera to cease operation during revolutions 103-132.

  • 1965 September 22 - KH-4A 102 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 191 km (118 mi). Apogee: 364 km (226 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.00 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily. Cameras not operated on passes 88D-93D.

  • 1965 October 5 - KH-4A 1025 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
    KH-4A. Main cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1965 October 28 - KH-4A 1026 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 432 km (268 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1965 December 9 - KH-4A 1027 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Apogee: 439 km (272 mi). Inclination: 80.10 deg. Period: 90.80 min.
    KH-4A. Erratic attitude necessitated recovery after two days of operation. All cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1965 December 24 - KH-4A 1028 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 443 km (275 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.70 min.
    KH-4A. Cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1966 February 2 - KH-4A 1029 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 428 km (265 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 90.60 min.
    KH-4A. Both panoramic cameras were operational throughout.

  • 1966 March 9 - KH-4A 1030 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 418 km (259 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 90.40 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1966 April 7 - KH-4A 1031 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Apogee: 312 km (193 mi). Inclination: 75.10 deg. Period: 89.60 min.
    KH-4A. The aft-looking camera malfunctioned after the recovery of bucket '1'. No material was received in bucket '2' (1031-2).

  • 1966 May 3 - SRV 707 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure.

  • 1966 May 3 - KH-4A 1032 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb).

  • 1966 May 3 - SRV 708 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure.

  • 1966 May 24 - KH-4A 1033 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 271 km (168 mi). Inclination: 66.00 deg. Period: 89.00 min.
    KH-4A. The stellar camera shutter of bucket '2' remained open for approximately 200 frames.

  • 1966 June 21 - KH-4A 1034 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 359 km (223 mi). Inclination: 80.10 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
    KH-4A. Failure of velocity/altitude programmer produced poor imagery after revolution 5.

  • 1966 August 9 - KH-4A 1036 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 284 km (176 mi). Inclination: 100.10 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1966 September 20 - KH-4A 1035 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 430 km (260 mi). Inclination: 85.10 deg. Period: 90.60 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily. First mission flown with pan geometry modification.

  • 1966 November 8 - KH-4A 1037 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 100.00 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
    KH-4A. Second pan geometry mission. Higher than normal base plus fog encountered on both main camera records.

  • 1967 January 14 - KH-4A 1038 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Apogee: 355 km (220 mi). Inclination: 80.10 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
    KH-4A. Fair image quality.

  • 1967 February 22 - KH-4A 1039 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
    KH-4A. Normal KH-4 mission. Light from horizon camera on both main camera records during 1039-1.

  • 1967 March 30 - KH-4A 1040 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 326 km (202 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 89.50 min.
    KH-4A. Satellite flown nose first, all cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1967 May 9 - SRV 731 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure of the booster cut-off switch. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 399 km (247 mi). Apogee: 458 km (284 mi). Inclination: 84.90 deg. Period: 93.20 min.
    Radar monitoring. Due to the failure of the booster cut-off switch, the satellite went into a highly eccentric orbit.

  • 1967 May 9 - KH-4A 1041 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Failure of the booster cut-off switch. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Apogee: 791 km (491 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 94.30 min.
    KH-4A. Due to the failure of the booster cut-off switch, the satellite went into a highly eccentric orbit. Significant image degradation.

  • 1967 June 16 - SRV 725 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 501 km (311 mi). Apogee: 517 km (321 mi). Inclination: 80.20 deg. Period: 94.80 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1967 June 16 - KH-4A 1042 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Inclination: 80.00 deg. Period: 90.00 min.
    KH-4A. Small out-of-focus area in forward camera of 1042-1.

  • 1967 August 7 - KH-4A 1043 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 174 km (108 mi). Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Inclination: 79.90 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
    KH-4A. Forward camera film came out of the rails on pass 230D. Film degraded past this point.

  • 1967 November 2 - KH-4A 1044 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 184 km (114 mi). Apogee: 410 km (250 mi). Inclination: 81.50 deg. Period: 90.40 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated fine.

  • 1967 November 2 - SRV 733 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 454 km (282 mi). Apogee: 525 km (326 mi). Inclination: 81.60 deg. Period: 94.30 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1968 January 24 - KH-4A 1045 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 438 km (272 mi). Inclination: 81.50 deg. Period: 90.70 min.
    KH-4A. All cameras operated satisfactorily.

  • 1968 January 24 - SRV 741 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 470 km (290 mi). Apogee: 545 km (338 mi). Inclination: 81.70 deg. Period: 94.70 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1968 March 14 - KH-4A 1046 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Apogee: 390 km (240 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 90.20 min.
    KH-4A. Image quality good for 1046-1 and fair for 1046-2.

  • 1968 March 14 - SRV 747 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 481 km (298 mi). Apogee: 524 km (325 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 94.60 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1968 June 20 - SRV 745 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 435 km (270 mi). Apogee: 514 km (319 mi). Inclination: 85.10 deg. Period: 94.10 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1968 June 20 - KH-4A 1047 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Apogee: 402 km (249 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min.
    KH-4A. Out-of-focus imagery is present on both main camera records.

  • 1968 September 18 - SRV 749 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 500 km (310 mi). Apogee: 514 km (319 mi). Inclination: 83.20 deg. Period: 94.80 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1968 September 18 - KH-4A 1048 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
    KH-4A. Film in the forward camera separated and camera failed on mission 1048-2, also the stellar/index camera unit failed.

  • 1968 December 12 - SRV 751 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 1,380 km (850 mi). Apogee: 1,466 km (910 mi). Inclination: 80.40 deg. Period: 114.30 min.
    ABM monitoring.

  • 1968 December 12 - KH-4A 1049 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 248 km (154 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.70 min.
    KH-4A. Degraded film

  • 1969 March 19 - SRV 737 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 502 km (311 mi). Apogee: 515 km (320 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 94.70 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1969 March 19 - KH-4A 1050 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 165 km (102 mi). Apogee: 252 km (156 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 88.60 min.
    KH-4A. Due to abnormal rotational rates after revolution 22, the mission was terminated after a total of three days collecting photography.

  • 1969 May 2 - KH-4A 1051 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 168 km (104 mi). Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min.
    KH-4A. Imagery of both pan camera records is soft and lacks crispness and edge sharpness.

  • 1969 May 2 - SRV 739 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 407 km (252 mi). Apogee: 470 km (290 mi). Inclination: 65.70 deg. Period: 93.30 min.
    Radar monitoring.

  • 1969 September 22 - KH-4A 1052 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 253 km (157 mi). Inclination: 85.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min.
    KH-4A. Last of the KH-4A missions, all camera systems operated satisfactorily.

  • 1969 September 22 - SRV 743R - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 490 km (300 mi). Apogee: 496 km (308 mi). Inclination: 85.20 deg. Period: 94.50 min.
    Radar monitoring. Last of the KH-4A missions.

Bibliography:

  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
  • JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Web Address when accessed: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.
  • Bramscher, Robert G, Spaceflight, "A Survey of Launch Vehicle Failures", 1980, Volume 22, page 351.
  • McDowell, Jonathon, Quest, "US Reconnaissance Satellite Programs Part 2", 1995, Volume 4, Issue 4, page 49.
  • McDowell, Jonathan, Launch Log, October 1998. Web Address when accessed: http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~jcm/space/log/launch.html.
Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

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