Hexagon 17

 1982-041A

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The 1982 launch, mission 1217, was the first of a revised series which did not include the MCS. Instead, two SSS (S-cubed, Solid State Stellar) cameras mounted on the Two Camera Assembly and looking out the side of the main spacecraft section were used to provide attitude measurement for the main stereo pan cameras used in mapping mode. The Doppler Beacon system was retained and fixed directly on the forward bulkhead in the former location of the MCS, while the NAVPAC system was attached to the pallet. In addition, a new film looper reduced the amount of film wasted during typical operations.

The mission `provided an excellent data base of broad area search coverage on Communist countries and Third World areas of major concern to the Intelligence Community', according to a memo from the CIA director.

HEXAGON 17
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
1982 May 11	1835	Launch by Titan IIID	V SLC4E
		T+1:49? Stage 1 burn 2:27
		T+1:55 SRM burnout
		T+1:55 SRM sep
		T+4:16 Stage 1 MECO
		T+4:16 Stage 1 sep
		T+4:16 Stage 2 burn
		T+5:05? Fairing sep
	1842?	T+7:44? Stage 2 MECO
	1843?	T+8:00 Stage 2 sep
1982 May 12	1522?	Subsatellite sep
			88.89 176x260x96.4
1982 May 24			88.79 163x262x96.4
1982 May 31			88.74 168x253x96.4
1982 Jun 15			88.73 167x253x96.4
1982 Jun 15		SRV-1 MAR
1982 Jun 30			88.72 167x252x96.4
1982 Jul 15			88.70 166x251x96.4
1982 Jul 31			88.65 165x247x96.4
1982 Aug 2	2108?	SRV-2 sea recovery
1982 Aug 15			88.84 168x262x96.4
1982 Aug 30			88.69 172x244x96.4
1982 Sep 15			88.85 168x263x96.3
1982 Sep 29	2055?	SRV-3 sea recovery
1982 Sep 30			88.98 170x275x96.4
1982 Oct 15			88.87 166x266x96.4
1982 Oct 30			89.02 169x279x96.4
1982 Nov 15			88.87 166x268x96.4
1982 Nov 30			88.79 166x260x96.4
1982 Nov 30	2055?	SRV-4 sea recovery
1982 Dec 5			88.78 171x254x96.2
	1854		88.71 168 x 252 x 96.2
1982 Dec 14	2100?	Deboost, reentered after 216d