The ELINT satellites known for decades only as "Heavy Ferrets" are now known to be a program associated with the Samos (Satellite and Missile Observation System) project. This first series of Heavy Ferrets was called Samos-F2. The exact objective of these satellites is still unknown.
Only the first Samos-F2 has been identified for sure, but based on the fact, that only four satellites of this series were built and only three more Agena-B based Ferrets were launched, the remaining flights could be tentatively identified.
This series was followed by the Samos-F3 series of ELINT satellites.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | ELINT |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | ? |
| Equipment: | ? |
| Configuration: | Agena-B |
| Propulsion: | Bell 8081 |
| Power: | |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | ? |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samos-F2 1 | 21.02.1962 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| Samos-F2 2 | 18.06.1962 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| Samos-F2 3 (OPS 0180) | 16.01.1963 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
| Samos-F2 4 (OPS 1440) | 29.06.1963 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-SLV2A Agena-B |
Further Samos missions:
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Further Heavy Ferret missions:
|
