# Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D

> type of American expendable launch system

**Wikidata**: [Q9161682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9161682)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atlas-slv-3-agena-d

## Summary
The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D was an American expendable launch system developed by Convair, serving as a variant of the Atlas-Agena D class. It was operational from 1964 to 1967, primarily used to launch satellites and space probes, including early lunar orbiters and military geodetic missions.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: American expendable launch system
- **Manufacturer**: Convair
- **First flight**: August 14, 1964
- **Service retirement**: November 5, 1967
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **Subclass of**: Atlas-Agena D
- **Has parts**: Atlas SLV-3 and Agena D
- **Notable payloads**: Lunar Orbiter missions, SECOR satellites, and signals intelligence satellites
- **Wikipedia languages**: Polish (pl)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D used for?
A: The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D was primarily used to launch satellites and space probes, including early lunar orbiters, military geodetic missions, and signals intelligence satellites.

### Q: When was the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D first launched?
A: The first flight of the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D occurred on August 14, 1964.

### Q: Who manufactured the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D?
A: The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D was manufactured by Convair.

### Q: What were some notable payloads launched by the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D?
A: Notable payloads included Lunar Orbiter missions, SECOR satellites, and signals intelligence satellites like Fanion 1 and Magnum.

### Q: When was the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D retired from service?
A: The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D was retired from service on November 5, 1967.

## Why It Matters
The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D played a crucial role in early space exploration and military applications. It supported NASA's Lunar Orbiter program, which provided detailed images of the Moon's surface, aiding future Apollo missions. The system also launched military geodetic satellites (SECOR) for precise positioning and signals intelligence satellites (Fanion 1, Magnum) for surveillance. Its operational period from 1964 to 1967 marked a key era in the U.S. space program, bridging early satellite launches and the more advanced systems of the 1970s.

## Notable For
- **Lunar Exploration**: Launched the Lunar Orbiter missions, including the first American spacecraft to orbit the Moon (Lunar Orbiter 1).
- **Military Geodesy**: Deployed SECOR satellites for precise positioning and navigation.
- **Signals Intelligence**: Supported early signals intelligence missions with satellites like Fanion 1 and Magnum.
- **Early Space Probes**: Carried payloads such as Mariner 5 and Hitchhiker 2, contributing to planetary exploration and satellite technology.
- **Reliable Launch System**: Demonstrated the effectiveness of the Atlas-Agena D configuration in delivering payloads to orbit.

## Body
### Overview
The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D was a variant of the Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle, designed to deliver payloads into Earth orbit. It was developed by Convair and operated by the United States from 1964 to 1967.

### Design and Components
The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D consisted of two main stages: the Atlas SLV-3 and the Agena D upper stage. The Atlas SLV-3 provided the initial thrust, while the Agena D performed the final orbital insertion and payload deployment.

### Missions
The launch system supported a variety of missions, including:
- **Lunar Orbiters**: Launched five Lunar Orbiter probes (1 through 5) to map the Moon's surface.
- **SECOR Satellites**: Deployed SECOR 4, 6, 7, and 8 for military geodetic purposes.
- **Signals Intelligence**: Launched satellites like Fanion 1, Magnum, and SAMPAN I for surveillance.
- **Scientific Probes**: Carried payloads such as Mariner 5, Hitchhiker 2, and SNAP-10A.

### Notable Flights
- **Lunar Orbiter 1**: First American spacecraft to orbit the Moon, launched on August 10, 1966.
- **SECOR 4**: First of four SECOR satellites, launched on August 14, 1964.
- **Fanion 1**: First signals intelligence satellite, launched on November 5, 1967, marking the system's final mission.

### Legacy
The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D contributed to early space exploration and military applications, providing critical data for lunar mapping and satellite technology. Its retirement in 1967 marked the transition to more advanced launch systems.

## Schema Markup
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