Key statistics
Satellite DISCOVERER 2 at a glance.
Uptime
13
Days in orbit
Revolutions
N/A
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
N/A
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for DISCOVERER 2.
Object identification
Object name: DISCOVERER 2
International designator: 1959-003A
Object number (NORAD): 14
Object ID (CCSDS): 14
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
Orbital parameters
Decay date: April 26, 1959
Inclination: 89.9 deg
Period: 90.4 minutes
Apoapsis: 346.0 km
Periapsis: 239.0 km
Two-line elements (TLE)
No TLE available, as this satellite has decayed and is no longer in orbit.
Live tracking on map
Satellite DISCOVERER 2 has decayed and is no longer in orbit. No tracking available.
Associated space launch
Discoverer II successfully reached orbit and took photos of Earth. However, when the capsule with the data was ejected in order to re-enter the atmosphere there was a timer malfunction meaning it seperated too early and landed over the North Pole rather than the intended target of Hawaii. The capsule was never recovered.
DISCOVERER 2 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Thor Agena A | Discoverer 2’, on board a Thor Agena A space rocket.
The launch took place on April 13, 1959, 9:18 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 1W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Thor Agena A | Discoverer 2
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: April 13, 1959, 9:18 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Thor Agena A
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 1W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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