LAUNCH MISSION
USAF Atlas LV-3 Agena B Midas 5
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 3E
Description
Military Defense Alarm System satellite designed to detect ICBMs using 175 infrared detectors. This launch also carried a batch of West Ford needles.
Atlas LV-3 Agena B
Rocket Description
The Atlas LV-3A was a largely unsuccessful configuration until it was given an Agena B upper stage. It was responsible for the launch of Mariner II to Venus and had one of the first engines that could be restarted in orbit.