# Discoverer 13

> reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q906148](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q906148)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_13)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-13

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Discoverer 13**:

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## Summary  
Discoverer 13 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched in 1960 as part of a covert program to collect intelligence data. It was the first satellite to successfully recover a payload from orbit, marking a milestone in space-based surveillance. The mission used a Thor-Agena A rocket for launch from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 10, 1960  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1960-008A  
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1960-008A  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena A  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **Mission Type**: Reconnaissance satellite (covert data collection for military/intelligence)  
- **Significant Event**: First successful payload recovery from orbit  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 00048  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Discoverer 13?  
A: Discoverer 13 was designed as a reconnaissance satellite to covertly collect intelligence data for military applications, part of a broader Cold War-era surveillance effort.  

### Q: What rocket launched Discoverer 13?  
A: It was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A, an American orbital launch vehicle, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.  

### Q: Why is Discoverer 13 significant?  
A: It achieved the first successful recovery of a payload from orbit, demonstrating the feasibility of space-based reconnaissance and data retrieval.  

## Why It Matters  
Discoverer 13 was a pivotal mission in the early days of space-based surveillance, proving that orbital reconnaissance and payload recovery were technically achievable. Its success laid the groundwork for future intelligence-gathering satellites, which became foundational for later intelligence-gathering missions.  

## Notable For  
- **First payload recovery**: Demonstrated the ability to retrieve objects from orbit, a critical capability for reconnaissance.  
- **Covert mission**: Part of a classified program highlighting early Cold War space-based surveillance efforts.  
- **Thor-Agena A launch**: One of the early uses of this launch vehicle for satellite deployments.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
Discoverer 13 was launched on August 10, 1960, as part of a series of missions aimed at advancing reconnaissance technology.  

### Technical Details  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena A  
- **Payload**: Reconnaissance equipment (exact specifications remain classified)  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth Orbit (exact parameters not publicly disclosed)  

### Historical Context  
The mission occurred during the Cold War, when the U.S. prioritized developing space-based intelligence tools to monitor geopolitical rivals.  

### Legacy  
Discoverer 13's success paved the way for subsequent satellites in the Discoverer program and influenced modern reconnaissance systems.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report