MRPV (Corona 99)

MRPV (Corona 99)

MRPV (Multi Research Payload Vehicle) was a satellite, which carried 21 experiments for the USAF.

The satellite consisted of instruments mounted on the front end and the aft payload rack of the Agena-D upper stage. They were not to be separated from the Agena-D

MRPV was procured via the Corona program reconnaissance satellite program and received therefore the designation Corona 99

MRPV was lost in an launch failure, when the rocket veered off course after 60 seconds.

The vehicle carried following 21 experiments

• Night Air Glow
• Satellite-to-Satellite communications (incl. small subsatellite)
• Plasma Frequency Probe
• Retarding Potential Analyzer
• Erosion Gauge
• Rawer Probe
• Magnetometer
• Cosmic Ray Monitor
• Vehicle Electrical Potential
• Faraday Cup
• EK Horizon Sensor
• Fuel Cell
• RM-12 Radiometer
• RM-15 Radiometer
• TV Camera
• GRF-5
• AFCRL 573 Proton Resonance
• RFI
• Bio-cell
• 65-161 PRF antenna
• Potassium Heat Transfer

The RM-12 and RM-15 radiometers have been reflown later on the KH-4A 43 reconnaissance satellite.