1962-064
FTV 2405 (Program 698BJ Vehicle 5) was launched on 1962 Nov 11 by Atlas Agena B from Point Arguello. The planned orbit was 88.72 min, 219 x 219 km x 96.0 deg, and the actual one was 88.78 min, 216 x 235 km x 96.11 deg. The SATCAT gives an orbit whose eccentricity is almost exactly a factor ten too high; I suspect a data entry error.
The satellite was deorbited after one day; recovery was a failure despite on report of emulsion data being obtained. The RV reentered and the parachutes deployed; it hit the water but could not be located. Analysis indicated possible compromise of the heatshield during reentry, and partial parachute malfunction.
A TRS Mark I research subsatellite, ERS 1, was attached to the Agena 2405 aft rack but failed to separate.
| FTV 2405 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 Nov 11 | 2017:02 | Launch by Atlas Agena B | NMFPA |
| 2019:19 | BECO (T+2:17) | ||
| 2021:26 | SECO (T+4:24) | ||
| 2021:41 | VECO (T+4:39) | ||
| 2021:43 | Atlas sep (T+4:41) | <0 x 213 x 94.36 (VCR) | |
| 2022:21 | SPS ignition (T+5:19) | ||
| 2022:29 | Agena burn (T+5:27) | ||
| 2022:31 | SPS cutoff (T+5:29) | ||
| 2026:16 | Agena MECO (T+9:14) | 88.78 216 x 235 x 96.11 (VCR) | |
| 88.65 206 x 206 x 96.0 (RAE) | |||
| 88.7 128 x 292 x 96.0 (SATCAT) | |||
| 1962 Nov 12 | 2250? | Stable through orbit 18 | |
| 1962 Nov 12 | 2250? | Agena B retrofire | |
| 2250? | SRV sep | -1230 x 200 x 96.0 | |
| SRV damage in reentry | |||
| 2300? | SRV impact in Pacific | ||
