KH-2 Corona
KH-2 3 [USAF]
The KH-2 (Keyhole-2) was second version in the Corona-program to build an optical reconnaissance satellite. These satellites were all launched under the name Discoverer.
The KH-2 payload consisted of the improved C' (Corona prime) single panoramic camera and a single General Electric return vehicle (SRV, Satellite Return Vehicle). The improved and simplified C'-camera was built by the Fairchild Camera Co. and with a f/5.0 aperture and 61 cm focal length had a ground resolution of 10.7 m.
The satellite was based on the larger Agena-B upper stage, which provided attitude control in orbit. The film return capsule carried its own small solid-fuel retro motor to deorbit at the end of the mission with mid-air recovery of the returning capsule by a specially equipped aircraft.
Ten KH-2 satellites were launched, of which four resulted in a successful return of film. Four missions failed to orbit.
Discoverer 34 (KH-2 9) carried an TR-17 type SECOR transponder.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Reconnaissance, photo (film return type) |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | Lockheed |
| Equipment: | C'-Camera |
| Configuration: | Agena-B, 1 SRV |
| Propulsion: | Bell 8081, Star-12 retro motor |
| Power: | Batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KH-2 1 (Corona 16, Discoverer 16) | 26.10.1960 | Va 75-3-4 | F | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-2 2 (Corona 17, Discoverer 17) | 12.11.1960 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| KH-2 3 (Corona 18, Discoverer 18) | 07.12.1960 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| KH-2 4 (Corona 22, Discoverer 22) | 30.03.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | F | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-2 5 (Corona 25, Discoverer 25) | 16.06.1961 | Va 75-1-1 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| KH-2 6 (Corona 26, Discoverer 26) | 07.07.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| KH-2 7 (Corona 28, Discoverer 28) | 04.08.1961 | Va 75-1-1 | F | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-2 8 (Corona 33, Discoverer 33) | 23.10.1961 | Va 75-3-5 | F | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | |
| KH-2 9 (Corona 34, Discoverer 34) | 05.11.1961 | Va 75-1-1 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| KH-2 10 (Corona 35, Discoverer 35) | 15.11.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B |
