# Discoverer 6

> American military reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q906166](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q906166)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoverer_6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discoverer-6

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Discoverer 6**:

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## Summary  
Discoverer 6 was an American military reconnaissance satellite launched in 1959 as part of the Corona program. It was designed to collect intelligence data covertly and was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A rocket. The satellite orbited Earth for two months before re-entering the atmosphere.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 19, 1959  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena A  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **Mass**: 794 kilograms  
- **Diameter**: 1.52 meters  
- **Orbital Parameters**: Apoapsis (848 km), Periapsis (212 km), Inclination (84°), Eccentricity (0.046)  
- **Orbital Period**: 95.2 minutes  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1959-006A  
- **Decay Date**: October 20, 1959  
- **Alias**: Corona 9003  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Discoverer 6?  
A: Discoverer 6 was a military reconnaissance satellite designed to collect intelligence data covertly for the United States as part of the Corona program.  

### Q: How long did Discoverer 6 remain in orbit?  
A: Discoverer 6 orbited Earth for approximately two months before re-entering the atmosphere on October 20, 1959.  

### Q: What rocket launched Discoverer 6?  
A: Discoverer 6 was launched aboard a Thor-Agena A rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.  

## Why It Matters  
Discoverer 6 was a significant early milestone in space-based reconnaissance, contributing to the Cold War-era intelligence-gathering efforts of the United States. As part of the Corona program, it demonstrated the feasibility of using satellites for military surveillance, paving the way for modern spy satellites. Its launch and brief operational period provided valuable data on orbital mechanics and satellite durability, influencing subsequent designs. Though short-lived, Discoverer 6 helped establish the technological foundation for future reconnaissance missions.  

## Notable For  
- One of the earliest American military reconnaissance satellites.  
- Part of the classified Corona program, a precursor to modern spy satellites.  
- Launched aboard the Thor-Agena A, an early U.S. orbital launch vehicle.  
- Provided critical data on satellite performance and orbital decay.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Discoverer 6 was launched on **August 19, 1959**, from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1**.  
- It was part of the **Corona program**, a covert U.S. military initiative for space reconnaissance.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 794 kg  
- **Diameter**: 1.52 meters  
- **Orbit**:  
  - Apoapsis: 848 km  
  - Periapsis: 212 km  
  - Inclination: 84°  
  - Eccentricity: 0.046  
  - Period: 95.2 minutes  

### Operational Life and Decay  
- The satellite remained operational until **October 20, 1959**, when it re-entered Earth's atmosphere.  
- Its brief mission provided insights into early satellite endurance and orbital mechanics.  

### Legacy  
- Contributed to the development of advanced reconnaissance satellites.  
- Demonstrated the viability of space-based intelligence gathering during the Cold War.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Discoverer 6. NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-006A)
2. Jonathan's Space Report