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 second series of Heavy Ferrets was called Samos-F3. The exact objective of these satellites is still unknown.
The Samos-F3 were an improved version of the preceding Samos-F2 series. They were based on the improved Agena-D stage.
This series was followed by a third version of the Heavy Ferret satellites.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | ELINT |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | ? |
| Equipment: | ? |
| Configuration: | Agena-D |
| Propulsion: | Bell 8096 |
| Power: | |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | ? |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samos-F3 1 (OPS 3722) | 28.02.1964 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-SLV2A Agena-D | ||
| Samos-F3 2 (OPS 3395) | 03.07.1964 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-SLV2A Agena-D | ||
| Samos-F3 3 (OPS 3062) | 04.11.1964 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-SLV2A Agena-D |
Further Samos missions:
|
Further Heavy Ferret missions:
|
