# FTV-1132

> American area survey optical reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5427252](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5427252)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTV-1132)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ftv-1132

## Summary  
FTV‑1132 was an American **area‑survey optical reconnaissance satellite** built as part of the **KH‑5 Argon** series. It was launched on **1 September 1962** from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1** aboard a **Thor‑Agena B** launch vehicle.

## Key Facts  
- **Mission type:** Area‑survey optical reconnaissance satellite (KH‑5 Argon)【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962‑044A【source】  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 00385【source】  
- **Launch date:** 1 September 1962【source】  
- **Launch site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, California【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor‑Agena B rocket【source】  
- **Related program:** Member of the U.S. KH‑5 Argon reconnaissance satellite series【source】  
- **Wikipedia title:** *FTV‑1132* (English and Polish articles)【source】  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0cc6gm6【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of FTV‑1132?  
A: FTV‑1132 was designed to capture wide‑area optical imagery for U.S. intelligence, providing photographic mapping and surveillance of the Earth’s surface.  

### Q: When and where was FTV‑1132 launched?  
A: It launched on **1 September 1962** from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1** in California.  

### Q: Which launch vehicle carried FTV‑1132 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was placed into orbit by a **Thor‑Agena B** launch vehicle, a two‑stage American orbital rocket.  

### Q: To which satellite series does FTV‑1132 belong?  
A: It is an instance of the **KH‑5 Argon** series, a line of U.S. area‑survey reconnaissance satellites.  

### Q: What is the satellite’s official identifier?  
A: Its international designator is **1962‑044A**, and its internal spacecraft number is **00385**.  

## Why It Matters  
FTV‑1132 represents a key step in the United States’ early space‑based intelligence capabilities. As part of the KH‑5 Argon series, it provided broad‑area photographic coverage that supported strategic mapping, terrain analysis, and surveillance during the Cold War. By delivering optical data from orbit, the satellite helped reduce reliance on risky aerial overflights and contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of global geography for military planning. Its launch demonstrated the operational maturity of the Thor‑Agena launch system and reinforced the United States’ commitment to maintaining a persistent reconnaissance presence in space, a capability that underpins modern satellite imaging and national security operations.

## Notable For  
- First KH‑5 Argon satellite launched from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1**.  
- Utilized the **Thor‑Agena B** launch vehicle, a workhorse of early U.S. military space missions.  
- Assigned the **COSPAR ID 1962‑044A**, linking it to the global catalog of space objects.  
- Holds the internal **Spacecraft Number (SCN) 00385**, identifying it within the U.S. satellite inventory.  
- Part of the pioneering **area‑survey optical reconnaissance** effort that laid groundwork for today’s high‑resolution Earth observation.

## Body  

### Overview  
FTV‑1132 was an American optical reconnaissance satellite built for wide‑area photographic mapping. It is classified as an instance of the **KH‑5 Argon** series, a line of satellites dedicated to area‑survey missions rather than high‑resolution spot imaging.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 1 September 1962.  
- **Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, California, a primary launch location for polar‑orbiting military payloads.  
- **Vehicle:** Thor‑Agena B, a two‑stage launch system combining a Thor first stage with an Agena upper stage.  
- **Event:** The launch is recorded as a **rocket launch** event, with the launch site and date noted as key qualifiers.

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** KH‑5 Argon (U.S. reconnaissance satellite class).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962‑044A, the international designator used for tracking.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 00385, the internal U.S. catalog number.  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0cc6gm6, linking to legacy structured data sources.  

### Related Programs  
- **KH‑5 Argon series:** A family of area‑survey satellites that provided broad‑coverage imagery for mapping and intelligence.  
- **Thor‑Agena B launch vehicle:** Frequently employed for U.S. military and intelligence payloads throughout the 1960s.  

### Legacy  
FTV‑1132’s successful deployment contributed to the United States’ ability to gather strategic geographic data from space, a capability that has evolved into today’s high‑resolution commercial and governmental Earth observation services. Its mission exemplifies early integration of launch technology, satellite design, and reconnaissance objectives that continue to shape modern space‑based intelligence.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report