# ERS 16
**Wikidata**: [Q2729791](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2729791)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ers-16

## Summary
ERS 16 was a technology demonstration spacecraft launched on June 9, 1966, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3. It was launched aboard an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket as part of experimental space technology testing. The spacecraft is cataloged as object 02202 in the satellite catalog and has the COSPAR ID 1966-051C.

## Key Facts
- Launched on June 9, 1966, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3
- Launched aboard an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D expendable launch system
- Classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 02202
- COSPAR ID: 1966-051C
- Has Wikipedia articles in Galician, Polish, and Portuguese
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/1q54w0n4n
- Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "02202"]
- Has 3 sitelinks across knowledge bases

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of ERS 16?
A: ERS 16 was a technology demonstration spacecraft designed to test experimental technologies in space. It was part of a series of spacecraft used to advance space capabilities through practical testing.

### Q: When and where was ERS 16 launched?
A: ERS 16 was launched on June 9, 1966, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 in California. It was carried into orbit by an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was ERS 16?
A: ERS 16 was classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft, which means it was specifically designed to test and validate new space technologies rather than serve a primary operational mission.

## Why It Matters
ERS 16 represents an important chapter in the development of space technology during the mid-1960s. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of how experimental systems perform in the space environment. These types of missions were essential for validating new technologies that would later be incorporated into operational satellites and spacecraft. The launch from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 also highlights the growing importance of this facility for military and experimental space launches on the West Coast. By successfully demonstrating new capabilities, ERS 16 contributed to the broader knowledge base that enabled more sophisticated space missions in subsequent years, helping to establish the foundation for modern satellite technology.

## Notable For
- One of the technology demonstration spacecraft launched in the 1960s
- Launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3, a key West Coast launch facility
- Part of the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch vehicle program
- Has international recognition with Wikipedia articles in three languages
- Cataloged in major space object databases with both SCN and COSPAR identifiers

## Body
### Technical Classification
ERS 16 is classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft, a category that includes vehicles specifically designed to test experimental technologies in orbit. This classification indicates that the primary mission objective was to validate new systems and capabilities rather than provide operational services.

### Launch Details
The spacecraft was launched on June 9, 1966, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3, located on the central coast of California. This launch site has been a critical facility for polar orbit launches and military space operations since the 1960s. The Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch vehicle, a reliable workhorse of the American space program during this era, carried ERS 16 into its intended orbit.

### Identification and Cataloging
ERS 16 is officially cataloged in space object databases with multiple identifiers. Its satellite catalog number is 02202, and it carries the COSPAR designation 1966-051C. These standardized identifiers allow for consistent tracking and reference across international space agencies and organizations. The spacecraft also has a Google Knowledge Graph ID and a Wolfram Language entity code, demonstrating its presence in various computational and knowledge systems.

### Documentation and Recognition
The spacecraft has achieved international recognition, with Wikipedia articles available in Galician, Polish, and Portuguese. This multilingual documentation suggests that ERS 16 has maintained relevance in space history discussions across different linguistic and cultural contexts. The presence of three sitelinks across knowledge bases indicates that the spacecraft has been documented in multiple information systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report