# Discoverer 5 Capsule

> The Discoverer 5 spacecraft consisted of a main satellite body and a separable reentry vehicle containing a recovery capsule

**Wikidata**: [Q112917748](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112917748)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-5-capsule

## Summary
The Discoverer 5 Capsule was a reentry vehicle component of the U.S. military reconnaissance satellite Discoverer 5, launched in 1959 to test satellite recovery technology. It decayed in Earth's atmosphere in 1961 after separating from the main satellite body. The capsule played a role in early Cold War-era space surveillance efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 13, 1959, at 19:00:08 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1959-005B.
- **Part Of**: Discoverer 5, an American military reconnaissance satellite.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena A (serial number 192/1029).
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 West.
- **Atmospheric Decay**: February 11, 1961.
- **Classification**: Reentry vehicle designed for intact atmospheric reentry.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Discoverer 5 Capsule?
A: The capsule was part of a U.S. military reconnaissance satellite mission to test recovery technology for film or payloads from orbit.

### Q: When did the Discoverer 5 Capsule launch and decay?
A: It launched on August 13, 1959, and decayed in the atmosphere on February 11, 1961.

### Q: Was the Discoverer 5 mission successful?
A: The mission tested reentry capabilities, but specific success details are not provided in the source material.

## Why It Matters
The Discoverer 5 Capsule represents early U.S. efforts to develop recoverable satellite systems during the Cold War, critical for reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering. While its mission specifics remain classified, the technology tested paved the way for future spy satellites and space-based espionage. Its launch vehicle (Thor-Agena A) and reentry design contributed to advancements in orbital mechanics and recovery systems, influencing later programs like the Corona satellites. The capsule’s decay in 1961 highlights the challenges of sustaining orbital operations in the pre-modern space era.

## Notable For
- **Early Reentry Technology**: Demonstrated atmospheric reentry capabilities for satellite recovery.
- **Military Satellite Heritage**: Part of the Discoverer program, a precursor to classified Corona spy satellites.
- **Cold War Context**: Reflects U.S. efforts to establish space-based reconnaissance during the 1950s–60s.

## Body
### Launch and Mission Profile
- **Launch Vehicle**: The capsule was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A rocket (serial 192/1029) from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 West.
- **Design**: The spacecraft comprised a main satellite body and a separable reentry vehicle housing the recovery capsule.
- **Timeline**: 
  - Launched August 13, 1959.
  - Decay occurred February 11, 1961.

### Technical Specifications
- **Identifiers**: 
  - COSPAR ID: 1959-005B.
  - NSSDCA ID: 1959-005B.
  - SCN: 00026.
- **Aliases**: 1959 Epsilon 2, Discoverer5Capsule.

### Legacy
- The mission tested reentry and recovery systems critical for future intelligence satellites.
- Part of the broader Discoverer program, which laid groundwork for U.S. space reconnaissance capabilities.

## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-005B)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=00026)