![]() KH-3 5 [USAF] |
![]() KH-3 6 [USAF] |
The KH-3 (Keyhole-3) was third version in the Corona-program to build an optical reconnaissance satellite. These satellites were all launched under the name Discoverer.
The KH-3 payload consisted of the further improved C''' (Corona triple-prime) single panoramic camera and a single General Electric return vehicle (SRV, Satellite Return Vehicle). The C'''-camera was built by Itek Corporation and with a f/3.5 aperture and 61 cm focal length had a ground resolution of 7.5 m.
The satellite was based on the 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.
The last mission of this series, KH-3 6, was modified and used a forward structure similar to the later KH-4 series with the KH-3 camera.
Six KH-3 satellites were launched, of which four resulted in a successful return of film. One mission failed to orbit. KH-3 5 deployed the small OSCAR 1 ammateur satellite.
Some satellites carried secondary payloads mounted on the satellite:
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | Reconnaissance, photo (film return type) |
Operator: | CIA |
Contractors: | Lockheed |
Equipment: | C'''-Camera |
Configuration: | Agena-B, 1 SRV |
Propulsion: | Bell 8081, Star-12 retro motor |
Power: | Batteries |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | |
Orbit: |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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KH-3 1 (Corona 29, Mission 9023, Discoverer 29, Texas Pint) | 1961 ψ | 30.08.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
KH-3 2 (Corona 30, Mission 9022, Discoverer 30, Topsoc 1) | 1961 ω 1 | 12.09.1961 | Va 75-3-5 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
KH-3 3 (Corona 31, Mission 9024, Discoverer 31, Topsoc 2) | 1961 αβ | 17.09.1961 | Va 75-1-1 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
KH-3 4 (Corona 32, Mission 9025, Discoverer 32, Topsoc 3) | 1961 αγ 1 | 13.10.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | ||
KH-3 5 (Corona 36, Mission 9029, Discoverer 36, Grape Juice 1) | 1961 ακ 1 | 12.12.1961 | Va 75-3-4 | Thor-DM21 Agena-B | with OSCAR 1 | |
KH-3 6 (Corona 37, Mission 9030, Discoverer 37, Taki (3)) | 1962-F01 | 13.01.1962 | Va 75-3-4 | F | Thor-DM21 Agena-B |