2/5/2024 0 Comments Atlas agena payloadThe core element of WS-117L was a new multipurpose spacecraft with boost and manoeuvering engines, which would act as the second stage of the launch vehicle as well as the carrier vehicle for the reconnaissance system. ![]() The initial primary goal of WS-117L was the development an orbital photo-reconnaissance platform, and in October 1956, Lockheed became prime contractor for the system. Air Force began its Weapons System 117L program, calling for the development of a strategic satellite system. Air Force allocated the formal missile designator RM-81 to the Agena (see section on RM-81 Designation for details). It is included in this missile directory, because the U.S. The Agena itself was actually the first general-purpose satellite, and formed the core for many operational satellites and experimental space vehicles. The Agena space vehicle was used in large numbers during the 1960s and 1970s as upper stage with SLV-2 Thor, SLV-3 Atlas and SLV-5 Titan boosters to launch a variety of military and civilian payloads into orbit. Agena originally called 'Hustler', based on engine for cancelled rocket-propelled nuclear warhead pod for B-58 Hustler bomber.ĪKA: Atlas-Hustler LV-3A. Pad 13 is known today as Landing Zone 1, a landing facility for recovering components- currently the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket booster-of SpaceX's reusable launch vehicles.Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9Ī- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- ZĪtlas Agena A - Midas 2 - COSPAR 1960 ZetaĪmerican orbital launch vehicle. Old Complex 13 was the launch site of the spy satellite along with 50 other Atlas-type rocket firings from 1958 to 1978. The sample depicted here was one that came from my own stock since it contained transparent tape on the back of the souvenir descriptive card. They were produced as tie tack pins and key ring chains during the 1970's, however, it was never determined what company had produced the unusual souvenirs made from an exploded spy-satellite rocket carrier launched from the Cape in December 1971. My firm was able to acquire a bulk purchase of the exploded Atlas-Agena D rocket fragment pieces many years ago. I knew someone - and probably more than one - on this forum had the answer. Many of them are beat up and yellowed from poor storage and some look like a dog or rodent has chewed on them. I believe the supply has finally been dispersed to the collector market. They were once very common here as someone in a local antique store had bought a number of them at an estate sale. I have seen these fragments as both a tie tac and as just a fragment of the missile. I'm also interested in any information about who produced the cards. The date on the back of the card points to the failed launch of a US spy satellite on December 4, 1971. While the card doesn't specify the mission, Wikipedia lists the mission as an Atlas-Agena D SLV-3A (S/N 5503A) with the AFP-827 (Canyon-4) payload.Īn example of the tie-tac version below. The rocket veered off course early in flight and was destroyed by the Range Safety Officer. It carried an experimental payload referred to as a "spy-in-the-sky satellite." It was a television carrying spy satellite which could keep track of particularly enemy movement in daylight or dark. This rocket blasted off Pad 13 at Cape Kennedy at approximately 5:30 pm on 4 December 1971. Both of them have a piece of paper on the back (one stapled, one taped): Your missile piece was taken from the (skin) or outer shell of an Atlas Agena rocket. The history of this particular Atlas Agena is provided on the card attached to your souvenir. ![]() This is the true thickness and consistency of the metal. The souvenirs are made from the skin or shell of an actual fired Atlas Agena missile. ![]() The front says: The Perfect Souvenir! Made from an Actual Missile I have two of these souvenirs (one a tie tack and one a lapel pin), both still attached to their cards. Many years ago I believe I read the source of the fragments came from a booster which exploded during launch.ĭoes anyone know with certainty the specific source of the fragments? Was there more than one source? Topic: Flown Atlas-Agena fragment on key chainįrom time to time I find on eBay a flown fragment from an Atlas-Agena attached to a key chain. Profile | register | preferences | faq | search Flown Atlas-Agena fragment on key chain - collectSPACE: Messages
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