# ERS 3

> U.S. Air Force technology research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q112894982](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112894982)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ers-3

## Summary
ERS 3 was a U.S. Air Force technology research satellite that failed during launch in 1962. Part of the Environmental Research Satellite program, it aimed to demonstrate experimental technologies but did not reach orbit due to a launch vehicle malfunction. It is also known as TRS 3 and Tetrahedral Research Satellite 3.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: December 17, 1962, at 20:36:33 UTC.
- **Launch Failure**: The satellite was destroyed when its Atlas-Agena B rocket exploded 2 minutes after liftoff.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas-Agena B (serial number 131D/1205).
- **Aliases**: Environmental Research Satellite 3, TRS 3, Tetrahedral Research Satellite 3.
- **Classes**: Technology demonstration spacecraft, research satellite.
- **NSSDCA ID**: ERS3.
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East.

## FAQs
### Q: What happened to ERS 3 during its launch?
A: ERS 3 failed to reach orbit after its Atlas-Agena B rocket exploded approximately 2 minutes after liftoff on December 17, 1962, destroying the satellite.

### Q: What was the purpose of the ERS 3 mission?
A: ERS 3 was designed to test experimental technologies as part of the U.S. Air Force’s research satellite program, focusing on technology demonstration and scientific research.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch ERS 3?
A: The satellite was launched on an Atlas-Agena B expendable launch system, a rocket configuration used for various U.S. space missions in the 1960s.

## Why It Matters
ERS 3 represents an early effort by the U.S. Air Force to advance space-based technology during the Cold War space race. Despite its launch failure, the mission contributed to the development of subsequent satellites by identifying risks in launch vehicle reliability. The satellite’s design and objectives reflected the broader goals of the Environmental Research Satellite program, which aimed to test cutting-edge systems in orbit. Its failure underscores the challenges of early space exploration and the iterative process of technological innovation, where setbacks often provided critical insights for future successes.

## Notable For
- **Tetrahedral Design**: Part of a series of satellites named for their tetrahedral shape, optimized for structural stability.
- **Launch Failure Cause**: The explosion was attributed to a malfunction in the Atlas-Agena B rocket’s guidance system.
- **Early Space Program Role**: One of several 1960s U.S. Air Force satellites intended to pioneer space-based research and technology testing.
- **Short Lifespan**: The satellite was destroyed immediately during launch, resulting in no operational lifespan.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: Launched on December 17, 1962, at 20:36:33 UTC.
- **Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East in California.
- **Vehicle**: Atlas-Agena B (serial 131D/1205), a two-stage rocket used for payloads requiring high thrust and precision.

### Mission Objective
ERS 3 was designed to serve dual roles as a **technology demonstration spacecraft** and **research satellite**. Its primary mission was to test experimental systems in space, though specific technological payloads were not detailed in surviving records. The satellite’s classification as part of the Environmental Research Satellite program suggests a focus on Earth or space environment studies.

### Failure Analysis
The Atlas-Agena B rocket experienced a catastrophic failure 2 minutes after launch, resulting in the destruction of ERS 3. The cause was traced to a guidance system malfunction, a recurring issue in early Atlas-Agena launches. This failure highlighted reliability challenges in 1960s rocket technology, influencing subsequent improvements in launch vehicle design.

### Legacy
Despite its failure, ERS 3 is notable as part of a series of satellites that laid groundwork for later U.S. space research initiatives. Its tetrahedral design and role in the Air Force’s technology testing program reflect the experimental nature of early spaceflight, where failures were integral to progress. The mission is documented in historical records as NSSDCA ID **ERS3**, preserving its role in the evolution of satellite technology.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report