# Discoverer 2

> American military reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q906157](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q906157)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-2

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Discoverer 2**:

---

## Summary  
Discoverer 2 was an American military reconnaissance satellite launched in 1959 as part of a covert program to collect intelligence data. It was the second satellite in the Discoverer series and orbited Earth for 13 days before re-entering the atmosphere. The mission demonstrated early capabilities in space-based surveillance.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date**: April 13, 1959  
- **Launch vehicle**: Thor-Agena A  
- **Launch site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **Mass**: 743 kilograms  
- **Orbital parameters**: Apoapsis (346 km), periapsis (239 km), eccentricity (0.008014), orbital period (90.4 minutes)  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1959-003A  
- **Mission duration**: 13 days (re-entered April 26, 1959)  
- **Diameter**: 1.52 meters  
- **Classification**: Reconnaissance satellite  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Discoverer 2?  
A: Discoverer 2 was designed as a military reconnaissance satellite to covertly collect intelligence data during the Cold War era.  

### Q: How long did Discoverer 2 remain in orbit?  
A: It orbited Earth for 13 days before re-entering the atmosphere on April 26, 1959.  

### Q: What rocket launched Discoverer 2?  
A: It was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A, an American orbital launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Discoverer 2 was a significant early step in the development of space-based reconnaissance, showcasing the potential for satellites to gather intelligence covertly. Its mission contributed to Cold War-era efforts to monitor geopolitical adversaries, laying groundwork for later surveillance systems. Although short-lived, the program demonstrated the feasibility of orbital reconnaissance, influencing future military and civilian satellite technologies.  

## Notable For  
- One of the earliest American reconnaissance satellites.  
- Part of the classified Discoverer program, which later evolved into the Corona spy satellite initiative.  
- Demonstrated the use of the Thor-Agena A launch vehicle for military payloads.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched on April 13, 1959, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.  
- Carried no recoverable payload (unlike later Discoverer missions).  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 743 kg  
- **Diameter**: 1.52 meters  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth Orbit (apoapsis 346 km, periapsis 239 km)  
- **Eccentricity**: 0.008014  
- **Orbital period**: 90.4 minutes  

### Legacy  
- Paved the way for advanced reconnaissance satellites like Corona.  
- Highlighted challenges in early space missions, including short operational lifespans.  

--- 

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

## References

1. [Discoverer 2. NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-003A)
2. Jonathan's Space Report