Star-Rad (Starfish Radiation) was a military scientific payload to study the artificial radiation belts created by the Starfish-Prime nuclear test.
The satellite consisted of instruments mounted on the Agena-D upper stage. They were not to be separated from the Agena-D
Star-Rad 1 was successfully launched from Vandenberg on a Thor-DM21 Agena-D vehicle into an highly elliptical orbit, which allowed for repeated passes through the Starfish radiation belt. Results of the mission were not revealed.
Star-Rad was procured via the Corona program reconnaissance satellite program and received therefore the designation Corona 54
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Scientific |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | Lockheed |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | Agena-D |
| Propulsion: | Bell 8096 |
| Power: | Batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | ~1100 kg |
| Orbit: | 192 km × 5570 km, 71.41° |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star-Rad 1 (Corona 54) | 26.10.1962 | Va 75-1-2 | Thor-DM21 Agena-D |
