Discoverer 3

Designation F00058 / 59F03 Launch date 03 Jun 1959 - 20:09:20 UT Launch site Va, LC75-3 pad 4 Launch vehicle Thor-DM18 Agena A (#174) Mission  Military: surveillance

Mission details:

• Discoverer 3 was a first generation, low resolution photo surveillance satellite launched by the US Air Force from Vandenberg AFB aboard a Thor Agena-A rocket. The spacecraft was a KH-1 prototype but it did not carry a camera.
• Good first stage performance, but the Agena second stage shut down early due to insufficient propellant having been loaded. Impacted in the south Pacific.
• 4 black mice aboard. Unsuccessful, no orbit.