# Corona 47
**Wikidata**: [Q9196233](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9196233)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/corona-47

## Summary  
Corona 47 was a U.S. reconnaissance satellite launched on July 28, 1962, aboard a Thor-Agena B rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1. It was part of the Corona program, designed to covertly collect intelligence for military applications during the Cold War.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: July 28, 1962  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-032A  
- **SCN**: 00345  
- **Classification**: Reconnaissance satellite  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 on July 28, 1962  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Corona 47?  
A: Corona 47 was a reconnaissance satellite designed to covertly gather intelligence for military or national security applications, part of the broader Corona program.  

### Q: When and where was Corona 47 launched?  
A: It was launched on July 28, 1962, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 in California, using a Thor-Agena B rocket.  

### Q: What makes Corona 47 notable?  
A: It was part of the Corona satellite series, a critical Cold War-era intelligence-gathering system that provided photographic surveillance from space.  

## Why It Matters  
Corona 47 played a role in the U.S. effort to conduct space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War, a period of heightened geopolitical tensions. As part of the Corona program, it contributed to the development of satellite-based intelligence systems, which revolutionized military and strategic planning by providing unprecedented access to denied areas. The Corona satellites, including Corona 47, helped reduce uncertainty in international relations by verifying arms control agreements and monitoring adversary activities. This technology laid the foundation for modern satellite reconnaissance, underscoring its significance in the history of space exploration and national security.  

## Notable For  
- Part of the Corona program, the first U.S. photographic reconnaissance satellite system.  
- Utilized the Thor-Agena B launch vehicle, a key rocket for early U.S. space missions.  
- Launched during the Cold War, reflecting the era’s emphasis on covert intelligence gathering.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: July 28, 1962  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B, an American orbital launch vehicle used for military and intelligence missions.  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, a facility dedicated to polar-orbiting satellite launches.  

### Mission Overview  
Corona 47 operated as a reconnaissance satellite, tasked with collecting photographic intelligence. Its mission aligned with the broader goals of the Corona program, which aimed to provide strategic overflight capabilities for the U.S. government.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-032A (international designation for Earth-orbiting objects).  
- **SCN**: 00345 (Satellite Catalog Number).  
- **Classification**: Categorized as a reconnaissance satellite, emphasizing its covert data collection role.  

### Historical Context  
The Corona program, which included Corona 47, was a landmark initiative in the development of space-based espionage. Satellites like Corona 47 reduced reliance on risky manned reconnaissance flights (e.g., U-2 spy planes) and provided consistent, high-resolution imagery of critical targets. This technology played a pivotal role in verifying Soviet military capabilities and supporting Cold War-era decision-making.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report