SLV-3A Agena D

Uprated Atlas booster with Agena D upper stage.

Manufacturer: Convair. Launches: 12. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 91.67%. First Launch Date: 1968-03-04. Last Launch Date: 1978-04-07. Launch data is: complete. Payload: 700 kg (1,540 lb). to a: Geosynchronous orbit trajectory. Associated Spacecraft: Canyon, OGO, Rhyolite. Liftoff Thrust: 1,700.000 kN (382,100 lbf). Total Mass: 155,000 kg (341,000 lb). Core Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Total Length: 36.00 m (118.00 ft).

• Stage Number: 0. 1 x Stage: Atlas MA-5. Gross Mass: 3,646 kg (8,038 lb). Empty Mass: 3,646 kg (8,038 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,896.010 kN (426,240 lbf). Isp: 294 sec. Burn time: 174 sec. Isp(sl): 259 sec. Diameter: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 0.00 m ( ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 2. Engine: LR-89-7. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Atlas Agena SLV-3A. Gross Mass: 142,000 kg (313,000 lb). Empty Mass: 3,700 kg (8,100 lb). Thrust (vac): 386.300 kN (86,844 lbf). Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 175 sec. Isp(sl): 220 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 20.67 m (67.81 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: LR-105-7. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Agena D. Gross Mass: 6,821 kg (15,037 lb). Empty Mass: 673 kg (1,483 lb). Thrust (vac): 71.166 kN (15,999 lbf). Isp: 300 sec. Burn time: 265 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Span: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Length: 7.09 m (23.26 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: Bell 8096. Status: Out of production. One of the real workhorses of U. S. space exploration, Agena was an upper stage which was also employed as a spacecraft, the whole vehicle going into orbit. Agena played a key role in manned space flight; it was the target vehicle for rendezvous and docking manoeuvres in NASA's Gemini project. Agena had a main rocket engine capable of multiple re-starts in space; in the modified target vehicle version it also had 2 secondary engines to provide small changes in velocity and position in orbit. In the Gemini Agena, a control system could handle 96 commands from the astronauts or from ground stations. Agena was used as an upper stage with the Thor, augmented Thor, Atlas and Titan boosters; it had played important roles in such military and NASA programs as Discoverer, Samos, Mariner, OGO, Lunar Orbiter, Ranger and Orbiting Astronomical Observatory.

1968 March 4 - 13:06 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC13. Launch Pad: LC13. Launch Vehicle: Atlas / Agena D SLV-3A. Model: SLV-3A Agena D. LV Configuration: SLV-3A Agena D 5602A (AA26) / Agena D 6503 (AA26).

• OGO 5 Nation: USA. Payload: OGO E. Mass: 634 kg (1,397 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OGO. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 36,021 km (22,382 mi). Apogee: 111,034 km (68,993 mi). Inclination: 50.30 deg. Period: 3,746.50 min. COSPAR: 1968-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 3138. OGO 5 carried 25 experiments, 17 of which were particle studies, and two were magnetic field studies. In addition, there was one each of the following types of experiments: radio astronomy, UV spectrum, Lyman-alpha, solar X ray, plasma waves, and electric field. By April 1971, spacecraft perigee had increased to 26,400 km and inclination had increased to 54 deg. The spacecraft attitude control failed on August 6, 1971, after 41 months of normal operation. The spacecraft was placed in a standby status on October 8, 1971. Four experiments (Meyer, Blamont, Thomas, and Simpson) were reactivated for the period from June 1 to July 13, 1972, after which all operational support terminated. Spacecraft orbit parameters changed significantly over the spacecraft life.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Canyon 1 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon 1 / Agena D. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 31,680 km (19,680 mi). Apogee: 39,860 km (24,760 mi). Inclination: 9.90 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 1968-063A. USAF Sat Cat: 3334. First launch in a communications intelligence program operated by the USAF within the National Reconnaissance Office, on behalf of the National Security Agency. The first generation series, CANYON, was based on the Agena vehicle. The Agena D remained attached to the spacecraft. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. Last known longitude (30 December 1968) 98.50 deg W drifting at 0.166 deg E per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Canyon 2 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon 2 / Agena D. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 32,670 km (20,300 mi). Apogee: 39,270 km (24,400 mi). Inclination: 9.90 deg. Period: 1,445.00 min. COSPAR: 1969-036A. USAF Sat Cat: 3889. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. Last known longitude (31 December 1969) 99.24 deg W drifting at 2.246 deg W per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Rhyolite 1 Nation: USA. Payload: AFP-720. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Rhyolite. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 33,685 km (20,930 mi). Inclination: 28.20 deg. Period: 588.90 min. COSPAR: 1970-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 4418. First launch of Rhyolite geostationary ELINT satellite. Reportedly left in transfer orbit; other sources indicate a successful mission. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Canyon 3 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon 3 / Agena D. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 31,947 km (19,850 mi). Apogee: 39,855 km (24,764 mi). Inclination: 10.30 deg. Period: 1,441.90 min. COSPAR: 1970-069A. USAF Sat Cat: 4510. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. Last known longitude (31 December 1970) 99.01 deg W drifting at 1.490 deg W per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• AFP-827 / Canyon 4 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon 4 / Agena D. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F711204A. Decay Date: 1971-12-04. References: 5, 126, 172, 278.

• Canyon 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon Improved. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 31,012 km (19,269 mi). Apogee: 40,728 km (25,307 mi). Inclination: 9.70 deg. Period: 1,440.40 min. COSPAR: 1972-101A. USAF Sat Cat: 6317. First launch of improved ELINT satellite. In comparison to earlier Canyon ELINT satellites, Improved Canyon had a similar but heavier payload which separated from the Agena D final stage. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Rhyolite 2 Nation: USA. Payload: AFP-720. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Rhyolite. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 35,679 km (22,169 mi). Apogee: 35,855 km (22,279 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,435.10 min. COSPAR: 1973-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 6380. Second launch of Rhyolite geostationary ELINT satellite. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Canyon 6 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon Improved. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 30,200 km (18,700 mi). Apogee: 40,800 km (25,300 mi). Inclination: 9.00 deg. Period: 1,422.00 min. COSPAR: 1975-055A. USAF Sat Cat: 7963. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Canyon 7 Nation: USA. Payload: Canyon Improved. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Canyon. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 35,679 km (22,169 mi). Apogee: 35,855 km (22,279 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,435.10 min. COSPAR: 1977-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 10016. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Rhyolite 3 Nation: USA. Payload: AQUACADE 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Rhyolite. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 35,679 km (22,169 mi). Apogee: 35,855 km (22,279 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,435.10 min. COSPAR: 1977-114A. USAF Sat Cat: 10508. Third launch of Rhyolite geostationary ELINT satellite. Code name changed to Aquacade after Rhyolite name came out in trial of spy Boyce. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• Rhyolite 4 Nation: USA. Payload: AQUACADE 4. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Rhyolite. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 35,679 km (22,169 mi). Apogee: 35,855 km (22,279 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,435.10 min. COSPAR: 1978-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 10787. Fourth and final launch of Rhyolite geostationary ELINT satellite. Code name changed to Aquacade after Rhyolite name came out in trial of spy Boyce. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Gatland, Kenneth, Missiles and Rockets, Macmillan, New York, 1975. ISBN: 0713735058. Covers rocketry of all nations. More at amazon.com...

• Koelle, Heinz Hermann,, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill,New York, 1961. The only such comprehensive handbook ever produced, and at the dawn of the space age.

• Walker, Chuck, with Powell, Joel, Atlas - The Ultimate Weapon, Apogee Books, Canada, 2005. ISBN: 1894959183. Another excellent Apogee Book, the only in-depth account of the design, development, and production of the rocket that was America's first ICBM, pioneered US spaceflight, and continued to take payloads into orbit into the next millenium. More at amazon.com...