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Star-Rad (Corona 54)

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: US Air Force (USAF)
Contractors: Lockheed
Equipment:
Configuration: Agena-D
Propulsion: Bell 8096
Power: Batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: ~1100 kg
Orbit: 192 km × 5570 km, 71.41°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Star-Rad 1 (Corona 54) 1962 βκ 26.10.1962 Va 75-1-2 Thor-DM21 Agena-D

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