# Discoverer 11

> American military reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q906142](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q906142)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_11)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-11

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Discoverer 11**:

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## Summary  
Discoverer 11 was an American military reconnaissance satellite launched in 1960 as part of the Corona program. It was designed to covertly collect intelligence data using photographic equipment and was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A rocket. The satellite orbited Earth for 11 days before re-entering the atmosphere.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** April 15, 1960  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena A  
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **Mass:** 790 kg  
- **Orbital Parameters:**  
  - Periapsis: 170 km  
  - Apoapsis: 589 km  
  - Orbital Period: 92.16 minutes  
  - Inclination: 80.09°  
  - Eccentricity: 0.03098  
- **Mission Duration:** 11 days (re-entered April 26, 1960)  
- **Part of:** Corona program (aliased as Corona 9008)  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1960-004A  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Discoverer 11?  
A: Discoverer 11 was a reconnaissance satellite designed to collect photographic intelligence for military applications as part of the Cold War-era Corona program.  

### Q: How long did Discoverer 11 remain in orbit?  
A: It orbited Earth for 11 days before re-entering the atmosphere on April 26, 1960.  

### Q: What rocket launched Discoverer 11?  
A: It was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A orbital launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Discoverer 11 was a critical component of the Corona program, the first U.S. satellite reconnaissance initiative during the Cold War. Its missions provided vital intelligence imagery, helping to monitor Soviet military activities and reduce uncertainty during geopolitical tensions. The program laid the groundwork for modern satellite surveillance, demonstrating the feasibility of space-based espionage. Though Discoverer 11's mission was short-lived, its contributions advanced satellite technology and reinforced the strategic importance of orbital reconnaissance in national security.  

## Notable For  
- **Early Reconnaissance:** Part of the pioneering Corona program, the first operational U.S. spy satellite system.  
- **Technical Specifications:** Featured a 1.52-meter diameter and a highly elliptical orbit optimized for surveillance.  
- **Cold War Role:** Provided crucial intelligence during heightened U.S.-Soviet tensions.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched April 15, 1960, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.  
- Primary objective: Covert photographic reconnaissance.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 790 kg  
- **Dimensions:** 1.52 meters in diameter  
- **Orbit:**  
  - Periapsis: 170 km  
  - Apoapsis: 589 km  
  - Eccentricity: 0.03098  
  - Inclination: 80.09°  

### Launch and Decay  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena A  
- **Re-entry:** April 26, 1960 (11-day mission duration).  

### Program Context  
- **Alias:** Corona 9008  
- **Part of:** Corona, a classified U.S. Air Force/NRO program.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report