# Discoverer 14

> reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q377332](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q377332)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_14)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-14

## Summary
Discoverer 14 was a U.S. reconnaissance satellite launched on August 18, 1960, aboard a Thor-Agena A rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1. Designed to covertly collect intelligence data, it played a role in early Cold War-era satellite surveillance efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 18, 1960
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena A
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 00054
- **COSPAR ID**: 1960-010A
- **Class**: Reconnaissance satellite
- **Significant Event**: Conducted covert data collection for military/intelligence applications

## FAQs
### Q: When was Discoverer 14 launched?
A: Discoverer 14 was launched on August 18, 1960.

### Q: What was the purpose of Discoverer 14?
A: Its purpose was to covertly gather data for intelligence or military use as part of U.S. reconnaissance efforts.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Discoverer 14?
A: It was launched using a Thor-Agena A orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Discoverer 14 represents an early milestone in the development of space-based reconnaissance technology during the Cold War. As a covert satellite mission, it contributed to advancements in intelligence-gathering capabilities, enabling the U.S. to monitor geopolitical activities from space. Its launch demonstrated the feasibility of deploying satellites for strategic surveillance, paving the way for future spy satellite programs. This mission underscored the critical role of space assets in national security and highlighted the accelerating space race between superpowers.

## Notable For
- Part of the Discoverer satellite program focused on reconnaissance.
- Launched aboard a Thor-Agena A rocket, a key vehicle for early U.S. satellite missions.
- Conducted covert operations to collect data for military/intelligence applications.
- Demonstrated early capabilities in space-based surveillance during the Cold War.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: August 18, 1960
- **Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
- **Vehicle**: Thor-Agena A, an American orbital launch vehicle

### Mission Objective
- Covertly collect data for intelligence or military purposes as a reconnaissance satellite.

### Technical Specifications
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 00054
- **COSPAR ID**: 1960-010A
- **Classification**: Reconnaissance satellite

### Historical Context
Discoverer 14 operated during a period of heightened Cold War tensions, reflecting the U.S. government’s emphasis on leveraging space technology for national security. Its mission aligned with broader efforts to develop clandestine satellite systems capable of gathering critical information from orbit. The use of the Thor-Agena A launch vehicle underscored the integration of military and space programs during this era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013