# Corona 48
**Wikidata**: [Q9196236](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9196236)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/corona-48

## Summary  
Corona 48 was a United States‑operated **reconnaissance satellite** launched on **2 August 1962**. It was placed into orbit by a **Thor‑Agena D** launch vehicle from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2** as part of the early Corona photo‑reconnaissance program.

## Key Facts  
- **Mission type:** Reconnaissance satellite (U.S. intelligence gathering).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962‑034A.  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 00360.  
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1962‑034A (matches the COSPAR ID).  
- **Launch date:** 2 August 1962.  
- **Launch site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, California, USA.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor‑Agena D, an American orbital launch system.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch that placed Corona 48 into low‑Earth orbit on the same date as the launch.  
- **Wikipedia language availability:** Polish (pl).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Corona 48?  
**A:** Corona 48 was a U.S. reconnaissance satellite launched in 1962 to collect photographic intelligence for military and strategic purposes.  

### Q: When and where was Corona 48 launched?  
**A:** It launched on **2 August 1962** from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2** in California, using a **Thor‑Agena D** rocket.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with Corona 48?  
**A:** Its official identifiers are **COSPAR ID 1962‑034A**, **SCN 00360**, and **NSSDCA ID 1962‑034A**.  

### Q: Which launch vehicle placed Corona 48 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was carried aloft by a **Thor‑Agena D** launch vehicle, a two‑stage American rocket used for many early reconnaissance missions.  

### Q: What was the primary purpose of Corona 48?  
**A:** The satellite’s primary role was to capture covert photographic imagery of the Earth’s surface for U.S. intelligence and military analysis during the Cold War era.  

## Why It Matters  
Corona 48 represents a pivotal step in the United States’ early space‑based intelligence capabilities. As part of the Corona program—the nation’s first series of photographic reconnaissance satellites—it provided critical imagery that informed strategic decisions during a tense period of the Cold War. The successful launch from Vandenberg demonstrated the reliability of the Thor‑Agena D launch system for polar orbits, which were essential for global coverage. By delivering high‑resolution photographs from orbit, Corona 48 helped reduce reliance on risky aerial overflights, thereby enhancing national security while advancing satellite imaging technology. Its legacy underpins modern Earth‑observation and spy satellite architectures, illustrating how early space missions laid the groundwork for today’s sophisticated reconnaissance assets.

## Notable For  
- Being one of the early **Corona series** satellites that pioneered orbital photographic reconnaissance.  
- Launching on a **Thor‑Agena D** vehicle, a workhorse of early U.S. military space launches.  
- Operating from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2**, a key site for polar‑orbit missions.  
- Carrying the **SCN 00360** catalog number, marking its entry into the global satellite registry.  
- Contributing to the development of **space‑based intelligence** that shaped Cold War strategy.

## Body  

### Overview  
Corona 48 was a **reconnaissance satellite** built for the United States to collect covert photographic data. It formed part of the broader **Corona program**, the first operational series of photo‑reconnaissance satellites.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 2 August 1962.  
- **Location:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, California, USA.  
- **Vehicle:** Thor‑Agena D, a two‑stage launch system combining a Thor first stage with an Agena upper stage.  
- **Event:** The launch was recorded as a significant rocket launch event, marking the satellite’s insertion into low‑Earth orbit.

### Technical Identifiers  
| Identifier | Value |
|------------|-------|
| COSPAR ID | 1962‑034A |
| SCN (Satellite Catalog Number) | 00360 |
| NSSDCA ID | 1962‑034A |

These identifiers are used by international space tracking agencies to catalog and monitor the satellite.

### Mission Profile  
- **Purpose:** Capture high‑resolution imagery of the Earth’s surface for intelligence analysis.  
- **Orbit:** Polar or near‑polar trajectory, typical for reconnaissance missions to maximize global coverage.  
- **Data Return:** Photographic film was later recovered via re‑entry capsules (standard for Corona missions), though specific recovery details for Corona 48 are not provided in the source material.

### Legacy and Impact  
Corona 48’s successful deployment demonstrated the feasibility of **space‑based photographic reconnaissance**, reducing the need for risky over‑flight missions by manned aircraft. The mission contributed to the refinement of launch procedures, satellite design, and data‑handling techniques that informed later generations of spy satellites and modern Earth‑observation platforms.

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*All information presented is derived exclusively from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report