Vela 1 and Vela 2 with ERS 12, the first pair of U.S. Air Force nuclear-test-detection satellites launched on an Atlas LV-3A Agena-D from Cape Canaveral into high elliptical orbits to monitor compliance with the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- Elliptical
- Elliptical orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 426 kg (est.)
- Flight
- 3rd
- of 15 Atlas LV-3 Agena D flights
- Date and time
- 17 October 1963, 02:37 UTC
- Rocket
- Atlas LV-3 Agena D
- Builder
- Convair
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 13, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Payload
- Government/Top Secret
- International designator
- 1963-039
- Launches in 1963
- 50th of 69
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
Object pages on Space Atlas: Vela 1
View satellites in Space Atlas