# Calsphere 1A
**Wikidata**: [Q9184299](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9184299)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/calsphere-1a

## Summary
Calsphere 1A is an American reconnaissance satellite launched on December 13, 1962. It was designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. The satellite was placed into orbit using a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite
- **Launch Date:** December 13, 1962
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena D
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00507
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962-067E
- **Harvard Designation:** 1962 Beta Tau 3
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00513"]

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Calsphere 1A?
A: Calsphere 1A is a reconnaissance satellite. Its primary function is the covert collection of data for intelligence or military applications.

### Q: When and where was Calsphere 1A launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 13, 1962. The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 in the United States.

### Q: What rocket was used to put Calsphere 1A into orbit?
A: Calsphere 1A was launched using a Thor-Agena D, which is a type of American orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Calsphere 1A represents an early iteration of American orbital intelligence-gathering technology. As a reconnaissance satellite, it belongs to a class of spacecraft specifically engineered for the covert collection of data to support military and intelligence operations. This role was significant for national security during the early 1960s, providing a method to gather information from space that could not be obtained through conventional means.

The satellite's deployment also highlights the importance of the Thor-Agena D launch vehicle and the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 in the history of American spaceflight. The Thor-Agena D was a critical orbital launch vehicle used to deliver various payloads into orbit during this era. By utilizing the Vandenberg facility, Calsphere 1A was part of a broader effort to establish a consistent and reliable military presence in space. Its various designations, such as SCN 00507 and COSPAR ID 1962-067E, allow it to be tracked and identified within the historical record of man-made objects in orbit, ensuring its mission and technical specifications remain documented for academic and military history.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Thor-Agena D, a prominent American orbital launch vehicle.
- **Historical Designation:** Identified by the Harvard designation 1962 Beta Tau 3.
- **Tracking Identifiers:** Cataloged as SCN 00507 and COSPAR ID 1962-067E.
- **Mission Class:** Part of the reconnaissance satellite class dedicated to covert intelligence collection.

## Body

### Launch and Deployment
Calsphere 1A was successfully launched on December 13, 1962. The mission originated from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, a primary site for American orbital launches. The delivery of the satellite into orbit was performed by a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft is formally classified as a reconnaissance satellite. This classification denotes a satellite that is used to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It is identified in various databases by the following technical markers:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00507
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1962-067E
*   **Harvard Designation:** 1962 Beta Tau 3
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00513"]

### Operational Context
As an American orbital asset, Calsphere 1A was part of the early development of space-based intelligence gathering. While specific mission details are categorized under its reconnaissance classification, its launch signifies the use of the Thor-Agena D platform to establish covert data collection capabilities during the early 1960s. The satellite is also documented in international records, including a presence in Polish-language (pl) Wikipedia resources.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report