# Discoverer 30

> American optical reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5281814](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5281814)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_30)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-30

## Summary
Discoverer 30 is an American optical reconnaissance satellite designed for the covert collection of intelligence and military data. Launched on September 12, 1961, it was deployed using a Thor-Agena B orbital launch vehicle as part of the United States' early space-based surveillance efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Optical reconnaissance satellite
- **Launch Date:** September 12, 1961
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena B
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-024A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00182
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1961-024A
- **Instance of:** Reconnaissance satellite
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00182"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of Discoverer 30?
A: Discoverer 30 was an optical reconnaissance satellite. Its primary mission was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Discoverer 30 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 12, 1961. The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 in California.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to deploy Discoverer 30?
A: Discoverer 30 was launched into orbit using the Thor-Agena B, an American orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Discoverer 30 represents a significant era in the development of American space-based intelligence gathering. As an optical reconnaissance satellite, it was part of a specialized class of spacecraft designed to collect data for military and intelligence purposes from orbit. This mission reflects the strategic importance of space-based surveillance during the early 1960s. The use of the Thor-Agena B launch vehicle and the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 underscores the established military-industrial framework required to deploy these assets during the Cold War era.

The satellite's role in covert data collection provided the United States with intelligence capabilities that were not possible through traditional terrestrial means. By operating as a reconnaissance satellite, Discoverer 30 contributed to the evolution of orbital surveillance technology. Its placement in the Satellite Catalog (SCN 00182) and its COSPAR identification (1961-024A) ensure its place in the historical record of space exploration and national security. Understanding Discoverer 30 is essential for grasping the development of reconnaissance programs that paved the way for modern satellite-based intelligence gathering.

## Notable For
- **Covert Intelligence Gathering:** Specifically classified as an optical reconnaissance satellite for military applications.
- **Launch Platform:** Utilized the Thor-Agena B orbital launch vehicle, a key component of early American space missions.
- **Strategic Launch Site:** Deployed from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, a primary site for polar-orbiting reconnaissance missions.
- **Scientific Identification:** Tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number 00182 and COSPAR ID 1961-024A.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Discoverer 30 was an American satellite mission launched on September 12, 1961. It is categorized as an optical reconnaissance satellite, a type of spacecraft used to gather intelligence and military data covertly from orbit. The mission is recognized as a significant event in the history of rocket launches from the United States.

### Technical Specifications and Launch
The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1. The mission utilized the Thor-Agena B, a standard American orbital launch vehicle of that period.
*   **Launch Date:** 1961-09-12
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena B
*   **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
*   **Significant Event:** Rocket launch (1961-09-12)

### Identification and Tracking
Discoverer 30 is tracked and identified through several international and scientific databases using specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1961-024A
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 1961-024A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00182
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00182"]
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0ch45bd

### Classification and Purpose
As an instance of a reconnaissance satellite, Discoverer 30 was designed for covert data collection. This class of satellite is characterized by its use in intelligence or military applications, often involving optical sensors to monitor terrestrial activities from space. The mission is documented in various languages, including English and Polish, reflecting its international historical record.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report