Sunday, December 31, 1972

Samos 11

 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 
 

DateTimeEventOrbit  

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 

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