Discoverer 20 (Corona Mission 9014A / KH-5 Argon 1), the first U.S. NRO film-return mapping reconnaissance satellite, launched on a Thor DM-21 Agena-B from Vandenberg; the re-entry vehicle failed to separate so film recovery was lost.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- LEO
- Low Earth orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 298 kg (est.)
- Flight
- 5th
- of 40 Thor DM-21 Agena-B flights
- Date and time
- 17 February 1961, 20:25 UTC
- Rocket
- Thor DM-21 Agena-B
- Builder
- McDonnell Douglas
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
- Payload
- Government/Top Secret
- International designator
- 1961-005
- Launches in 1961
- 5th of 50
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