# Discoverer 3

> American military reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q906159](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q906159)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-3

## Summary
Discoverer 3 was an American military reconnaissance satellite, designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It was launched on June 3, 1959, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, utilizing a Thor-Agena A launch vehicle. This satellite was part of the Corona program, an early initiative in space-based intelligence.

## Key Facts
- Discoverer 3 was an American military reconnaissance satellite.
- It was part of the Corona program.
- The satellite was launched on June 3, 1959.
- Its launch vehicle was the Thor-Agena A.
- Discoverer 3 was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.
- It had a mass of 753 kilograms.
- The satellite measured 1.52 meters in diameter.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Discoverer 3?
A: Discoverer 3 was an American military reconnaissance satellite. Its purpose was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.

### Q: When was Discoverer 3 launched?
A: Discoverer 3 was launched on June 3, 1959. This event took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

### Q: What program was Discoverer 3 a part of?
A: Discoverer 3 was a component of the Corona program. This program focused on early space-based intelligence gathering.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Discoverer 3?
A: Discoverer 3 was launched using a Thor-Agena A, an American orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Discoverer 3 holds significance as an early American military reconnaissance satellite, contributing to the nascent field of space-based intelligence gathering. As part of the Corona program, it represented a crucial step in the development of satellite technology for covert data collection, which is vital for national security and strategic military planning. Its launch demonstrated an early capability to deploy orbital assets for surveillance, marking an important period in the Cold War space race. The mission of Discoverer 3, like its counterparts, aimed to provide critical information that could not be obtained through other means, thereby influencing the evolution of intelligence operations and the strategic balance of power. Its role underscored the growing importance of space as a domain for military and intelligence activities.

## Notable For
- Being an American military reconnaissance satellite, designed for covert intelligence collection.
- Its launch on June 3, 1959, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.
- Being an early component of the Corona program, a pioneering effort in space-based surveillance.
- Utilizing the Thor-Agena A launch vehicle, an American orbital launch system.

## Body

### Overview
Discoverer 3 was an American military reconnaissance satellite. Its primary function was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. The satellite was an integral part of the Corona program, an early initiative by the United States to develop space-based surveillance capabilities.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass:** Discoverer 3 had a mass of 753 kilograms.
- **Diameter:** The satellite measured 1.52 meters in diameter.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date:** Discoverer 3 was launched on June 3, 1959.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was carried into orbit by a Thor-Agena A launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch itself was a significant event for Discoverer 3.

### Program Affiliation
Discoverer 3 was part of the Corona program, which focused on the development and deployment of reconnaissance satellites for intelligence purposes.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report