# Ferret 1

> USAF surveillance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q9259168](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9259168)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ferret-1

## Summary  
Ferret 1 was a United States Air Force (USAF) surveillance satellite launched in 1962. It was part of a series of reconnaissance satellites designed to covertly collect intelligence data for military applications. The satellite was launched aboard a Thor-Agena B rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: February 21, 1962  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-004A  
- **Harvard Designation**: 1962 Delta 1  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **Classification**: Reconnaissance satellite  
- **Purpose**: Covert data collection for military intelligence  
- **SCN Value**: 00242  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Ferret 1?  
A: Ferret 1 was designed as a surveillance satellite to collect intelligence data for military applications, operating covertly in orbit.  

### Q: When and where was Ferret 1 launched?  
A: It was launched on February 21, 1962, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1 aboard a Thor-Agena B rocket.  

### Q: What type of satellite was Ferret 1?  
A: Ferret 1 was a reconnaissance satellite, part of a series used by the USAF for intelligence gathering.  

## Why It Matters  
Ferret 1 represents an early milestone in military space surveillance, highlighting the USAF's efforts to leverage orbital technology for intelligence gathering during the Cold War. Its launch demonstrated advancements in covert satellite operations, contributing to the broader development of reconnaissance capabilities that would later evolve into modern surveillance systems. The mission underscored the strategic importance of space-based assets for national security, paving the way for subsequent programs.  

## Notable For  
- One of the early USAF surveillance satellites launched during the Cold War.  
- Utilized the Thor-Agena B launch vehicle, a key orbital platform of its era.  
- Part of a classified program aimed at enhancing military intelligence capabilities.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: February 21, 1962  
- **Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1  
- **Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B  

### Mission Profile  
- **Primary Function**: Covert intelligence data collection  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth Orbit (specific parameters not publicly disclosed)  

### Technical Specifications  
- **SCN**: 00242  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-004A  
- **Harvard Designation**: 1962 Delta 1  

### Historical Context  
- Ferret 1 was part of a broader effort to develop space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War.  
- Its success contributed to the advancement of subsequent surveillance satellite programs.

## References

1. [1962 Delta 1. NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-004A)
2. Jonathan's Space Report