MIDAS 6 (Missile Defense Alarm System), a U.S. Air Force infrared early-warning satellite for detecting ballistic-missile launches, with secondary TRS 3 and TRS 4 research satellites. Atlas LV-3 Agena-B from Vandenberg failed about 80 seconds after liftoff when a hydraulic rise-off disconnect lost booster hydraulics and the vehicle self-destructed.
- Outcome
- Failure
- Orbit
- MEO
- Medium Earth orbit
- Payload to orbit
- Did not reach orbit
- Flight
- 21st
- of 29 Atlas LV-3 Agena B flights
- Date and time
- 17 December 1962, 20:36 UTC
- Rocket
- Atlas LV-3 Agena B
- Builder
- Convair
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
- Payload
- Government/Top Secret
- Launches in 1962
- 79th of 81