GAMBIT 4 - KH-7 4 (OPS 2372) |
USA |
| Designation | 00711 / 63051A |
| Launch date | 18 Dec 1963 - 21:45 UT |
| Launch site | Va, LC2-3 |
| Launch vehicle | Atlas-LV3 Agena-D (#227D) |
| Mission | |
| Perigee / Apogee | km |
| Inclination | ° |
| Period | min |
The fourth KH-7, SV 954, was launched on 1963 Dec 18 by Atlas Agena D from Point Arguello. The Agena 4802 upper stage was not separately tracked, but is believed to have separated after launch. The first use of a 4800 series Agena may indicate an operational variant. The orbit perigee was 30 km lower than targeted. The spacecraft remained in orbit for only 31 hours.
| Program 206 SV 954 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 Dec 18 | 2145:30 | Launch by Atlas Agena D | NMFPA |
| 2147:48 | BECO T+2:18 | ||
| 2150:02 | SECO T+4:32 | ||
| 2150:16 | VECO T+4:46 | ||
| 2150:20 | Atlas sep T+4:50 | ||
| 2151:37 | Agena burn T+6:07 | ||
| 2155:38 | Agena MECO T+10:08 | 88.33 138 x 280 x 97.88 (VCR) | |
| 1963 Dec 18 | 2200? | OCV sep from Agena D | |
| 1963 Dec 18 | Agena D reentered? | ||
| 1963 Dec 19 | 0230 | 88.48 122 x 266 x 97.89 (RAE) | |
| 0309 | 88.47 126 x 271 x 97.90 (TLE) | ||
| 1963 Dec 20 | 0018? | SRV sep? | |
| 1963 Dec 20 | 0030? | RV recovered on rev 18 | |
| 1963 Dec 20 | 0405? | Reentered after 1.28d | |
| Out of service: | |
| Cause: | |
| Descent date: | 20 Dec 1963 |
| Lifetime: |