# Discoverer 36

> reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q279940](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279940)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_36)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-36

## Summary
Discoverer 36 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched on December 12, 1961. Designed to covertly collect data for intelligence and military applications, it was deployed into orbit using a Thor-Agena B launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1. The satellite is officially designated by the COSPAR ID 1961-034A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite (instance of).
- **Launch Date:** December 12, 1961.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena B.
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-034A.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1961-034A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00213.
- **Harvard Designation:** 1961 Alpha Kappa 1.
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch occurring on December 12, 1961, at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of Discoverer 36?
A: Discoverer 36 functioned as a reconnaissance satellite, a class of spacecraft designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.

### Q: When and how was Discoverer 36 launched?
A: It was launched on December 12, 1961, aboard a Thor-Agena B rocket from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 in California.

### Q: What are the official identifiers for Discoverer 36?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1961-034A, the NSSDCA ID 1961-034A, and the Satellite Catalog Number 00213. It also holds the Harvard designation 1961 Alpha Kappa 1.

## Why It Matters
Discoverer 36 represents a specific mission within the broader context of early space-based intelligence gathering. Launched in 1961, it exemplifies the technological transition to using orbital platforms for military reconnaissance, moving beyond traditional atmospheric or ground-based methods. As a reconnaissance satellite, its primary role was to provide critical data for national security purposes, contributing to the strategic capabilities of the United States during the Cold War era.

The mission utilized the Thor-Agena B launch vehicle, a staple of American aerospace efforts during this period, highlighting the reliance on specific rocket architectures to achieve orbit. The successful deployment from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 further underscores the importance of this site as a hub for military and reconnaissance launches. The existence of photographic evidence attributed to the satellite, such as the image of Twierdza Modlin, confirms its operation as an imaging asset, validating its classification as a tool for covert data collection.

## Notable For
- **Intelligence Gathering:** Being a dedicated platform for covert data collection for military applications.
- **Launch Configuration:** Utilizing the Thor-Agena B, a prominent American orbital launch vehicle of the era.
- **Imaging Capabilities:** The satellite is credited with photographing specific ground targets, such as Twierdza Modlin, demonstrating its optical functionality.
- **Harvard Classification:** Receiving the specific Harvard designation "1961 Alpha Kappa 1."

## Body
### Mission Overview
Discoverer 36 was an orbital spacecraft classified as a reconnaissance satellite. Its fundamental purpose was to covertly collect data to support intelligence and military applications. The mission was executed under the auspices of the United States space program, utilizing the infrastructure and launch capabilities available at the time.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **December 12, 1961**. The deployment was facilitated by the **Thor-Agena B** launch vehicle, an American rocket designed for orbital delivery. The launch originated from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1**, a site frequently used for reconnaissance missions due to its advantageous location for polar and near-polar orbits.

### Identification and Tracking
Discoverer 36 is tracked and referenced in space catalogs using several distinct identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1961-034A
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 1961-034A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 00213
*   **Harvard Designation:** 1961 Alpha Kappa 1

### Operational Evidence
Photographic records confirm the satellite's operational status. An image file titled "Twierdza_Modlin_photographed_by_the_Discoverer_36_(Corona_9029)_satellite_(1961-12-12).png" exists in the Wikimedia Commons repository, verifying that the satellite was actively imaging terrestrial targets on its launch date. This imagery aligns with its classification as a system for collecting visual intelligence.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1961-034A)