# Discoverer 35

> Reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5281820](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5281820)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_35)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-35

## Summary
Discoverer 35 is an American reconnaissance satellite launched on November 15, 1961, for the purpose of covert intelligence gathering. It was part of a class of spacecraft designed to collect data for military applications and was launched using a Thor-Agena B orbital launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** November 15, 1961
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite (covert intelligence/military data collection)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena B
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-030A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00201
- **Harvard Designation:** 1961 Alpha Zeta
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1961-030A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00201"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of Discoverer 35?
A: Discoverer 35 was a reconnaissance satellite designed for the covert collection of data for intelligence or military applications. It operated as an orbital platform to gather information from space.

### Q: When and where was Discoverer 35 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on November 15, 1961. The launch took place at the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 in California.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to deploy Discoverer 35?
A: Discoverer 35 was deployed using the Thor-Agena B, which was a standard American orbital launch vehicle used during that period for satellite missions.

## Why It Matters
Discoverer 35 is a significant entry in the history of orbital intelligence gathering. As a reconnaissance satellite, it was part of a specialized class of spacecraft designed to covertly collect data for military and intelligence applications. This mission utilized the Thor-Agena B, a notable American orbital launch vehicle, demonstrating the integration of advanced rocketry with surveillance technology during the early 1960s. Launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, the satellite represents the strategic use of specific launch sites for reconnaissance-focused orbits. Its existence highlights the shift toward using space as a domain for national security and intelligence operations. The technical designations, such as COSPAR ID 1961-030A and SCN 00201, allow for the precise tracking and historical cataloging of this mission within the broader framework of American space exploration and defense initiatives. By serving as a platform for covert data collection, Discoverer 35 contributed to the evolving capabilities of satellite-based surveillance during a critical period of technological development.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Thor-Agena B orbital launch vehicle for deployment.
- **Historical Designation:** Identified by the Harvard designation 1961 Alpha Zeta.
- **Strategic Classification:** Classified as a reconnaissance satellite for covert military and intelligence data collection.
- **Cataloging:** Assigned the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 00201 and COSPAR ID 1961-030A.

## Body
### Mission Classification
Discoverer 35 was categorized as a reconnaissance satellite. This class of spacecraft is defined by its role in the covert collection of data intended for intelligence or military applications. 

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on November 15, 1961. The significant event of the rocket launch occurred at the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1. The mission utilized the Thor-Agena B, an American orbital launch vehicle.

### Technical Identification
The satellite is tracked and identified through several international and scientific systems:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1961-030A
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 1961-030A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00201
*   **Harvard Designation:** 1961 Alpha Zeta
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0ch4t45
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00201"]

### Documentation and Reach
Information regarding Discoverer 35 is maintained in multiple languages, including English and Polish. It is documented in various space-related databases, including the NSSDCA and Wikidata.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1961-030A)