# Corona 88
**Wikidata**: [Q9196298](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9196298)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/corona-88

## Summary
Corona 88 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched on November 2, 1964. Designed to covertly collect data for intelligence and military applications, it was deployed into orbit using a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle. The mission originated from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 and is cataloged under the international designation COSPAR ID 1964-071A.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Corona 88 is an instance of a reconnaissance satellite, a class of spacecraft designed to covertly collect intelligence data.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on November 2, 1964.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Thor-Agena D, an American orbital launch vehicle.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.
*   **COSPAR ID:** The international designation for this space object is 1964-071A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 00921.
*   **Significant Event:** A rocket launch event was recorded for this entity at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 on November 2, 1964.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of Corona 88?
A: Corona 88 was a reconnaissance satellite, meaning its primary function was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.

### Q: When and where was Corona 88 launched?
A: Corona 88 was launched on November 2, 1964, from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Corona 88?
A: The satellite was launched using a Thor-Agena D, which is an American orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Corona 88 represents a specific mission within the broader scope of mid-20th-century space-based intelligence gathering. As a reconnaissance satellite, its significance lies in its role in obtaining covert data for military and intelligence analysis, a critical capability during the Cold War era. The mission demonstrates the operational use of the Thor-Agena D launch vehicle, a workhorse American rocket system of the period, highlighting the infrastructure established at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 for deploying sensitive payloads into orbit. By cataloging this mission (1964-071A), space history records retain specific data points regarding the proliferation of surveillance technology, allowing for the precise tracking of early space assets. The mission is a data point in the history of how nations utilized space for strategic advantage through remote sensing and information collection.

## Notable For
*   **Intelligence Gathering:** Designed specifically for the covert collection of military and intelligence data.
*   **Specific Launch Configuration:** Utilized the Thor-Agena D launch system, a prominent American rocket of the 1960s.
*   **Historical Launch Site:** Deployed from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, a key site for polar and military launches.
*   **Detailed Tracking:** Distinctly identified by COSPAR ID 1964-071A and SCN 00921.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Classification
Corona 88 is classified as a reconnaissance satellite. According to technical definitions, this class of satellite is engineered to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. The mission is documented with a specific Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) of 00921 and a COSPAR ID of 1964-071A, ensuring unique identification in global space object tracking databases.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on November 2, 1964. The designated start point for the mission was the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

### Launch Vehicle
The launch vehicle utilized for the Corona 88 mission was the Thor-Agena D. This vehicle is classified as an American orbital launch vehicle. The combination of the Thor booster and the Agena D upper stage was a common configuration for deploying reconnaissance payloads during this era.

### Operational Context
The significant event associated with this entity is the rocket launch itself, which occurred at the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 on November 2, 1964. This event marks the insertion of the Corona 88 payload into its operational trajectory for intelligence gathering.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report