# Discoverer 22

> Reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q749829](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q749829)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_22)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-22

## Summary
Discoverer 22 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched as part of the Corona program, the United States' first series of strategic reconnaissance satellites. It was successfully launched on March 30, 1961, aboard a Thor-Agena B rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

## Key Facts
- Discoverer 22 was launched on March 30, 1961
- It was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
- The satellite used a Thor-Agena B as its launch vehicle
- It belongs to the Corona class of reconnaissance satellites
- Discoverer 22 has 5 sitelinks across Wikipedia and related projects
- The satellite is documented in multiple languages including English, Greek, Polish, and Ukrainian

## FAQs
### Q: What was Discoverer 22?
A: Discoverer 22 was an American reconnaissance satellite that was part of the Corona program, which was the United States' first series of strategic reconnaissance satellites used for intelligence gathering during the Cold War.

### Q: When and where was Discoverer 22 launched?
A: Discoverer 22 was launched on March 30, 1961, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, which is located at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

### Q: What rocket launched Discoverer 22?
A: Discoverer 22 was launched using a Thor-Agena B, which was an American orbital launch vehicle developed specifically for the Corona reconnaissance satellite program.

## Why It Matters
Discoverer 22 represents a significant milestone in space reconnaissance technology during the Cold War. As part of the Corona program, it contributed to the United States' ability to gather intelligence on Soviet military capabilities without violating airspace, reducing the risk of direct conflict. The Corona program pioneered the development of film-return satellite technology, where cameras would capture images of the Earth and return the film canisters to Earth via reentry capsules. This technology revolutionized intelligence gathering and provided critical information during a tense period of geopolitical tensions between the superpowers. The success of missions like Discoverer 22 laid the foundation for modern satellite reconnaissance capabilities.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Corona program, the first series of American strategic reconnaissance satellites
- Successfully employing the Thor-Agena B launch vehicle, a dedicated rocket for satellite reconnaissance missions
- Operating during the early phase of the Cold War, providing critical intelligence to U.S. decision-makers
- Utilizing film-return technology that required physically retrieving exposed film from space

## Body
### Overview
Discoverer 22 was a reconnaissance satellite that operated as part of the Corona program, which was the United States' first series of strategic reconnaissance satellites. The Corona program aimed to gather high-resolution imagery of Soviet military and industrial facilities during the Cold War.

### Technical Specifications
- Class: Corona (reconnaissance satellite)
- Launch vehicle: Thor-Agena B
- Launch date: March 30, 1961
- Launch location: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
- Freebase ID: /m/0cc74tj
- Sitelink count: 5

### Program Context
The Corona program was initiated in response to the need for reliable intelligence on Soviet capabilities. Discoverer 22 was one of many satellites in this series that employed film-return technology, where cameras would capture images and then return the film canisters to Earth via reentry capsules. This approach allowed for the recovery of sensitive imagery without requiring transmission technology that was not yet sufficiently advanced for high-resolution images.

### Documentation
Discoverer 22 has documented presence in multiple languages including:
- English
- Greek (el)
- Polish (pl)
- Ukrainian (uk)
- Wikimedia Commons (commons)

The satellite has coverage across multiple Wikimedia projects, indicating its significance as a documented historical artifact in space reconnaissance history.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report