# Hitch Hiker 3
**Wikidata**: [Q9293098](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9293098)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hitch-hiker-3

## Summary
Hitch Hiker 3 was a reconnaissance satellite launched on December 21, 1963, designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It was deployed into orbit using a Thor-Agena D rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2. The satellite is cataloged under the COSPAR ID 1963-055B and the Satellite Catalog Number 00719.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Hitch Hiker 3 is an instance of a reconnaissance satellite, a class of spacecraft used for covert data collection.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on December 21, 1963.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by a Thor-Agena D, an American orbital launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designation for this object is 1963-055B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is identified by the numerical sequence 00719.
- **Significant Event:** The deployment involved a rocket launch event located at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 on December 21, 1963.
- **Wolfram Language Code:** The entity is coded as `Entity["Satellite", "00719"]` in the Wolfram Language.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of Hitch Hiker 3?
A: Hitch Hiker 3 functioned as a reconnaissance satellite. Its role was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.

### Q: When and where was Hitch Hiker 3 launched?
A: Hitch Hiker 3 was launched on December 21, 1963, from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Hitch Hiker 3?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Thor-Agena D, which is classified as an American orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Hitch Hiker 3 serves as a historical example of early space-based intelligence gathering efforts. Launched in the early 1960s, it represents the era's reliance on specialized hardware, such as the Thor-Agena D rocket, to deploy assets crucial for national security and military awareness. As a reconnaissance satellite, its existence underscores the strategic importance of the space race beyond scientific exploration, highlighting the utilization of orbital platforms for covert data collection. Its specific launch from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 further marks the site's significance in supporting American orbital launch operations during this period.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated reconnaissance satellite for military intelligence.
- Launching aboard the Thor-Agena D, a prominent American orbital launch vehicle of the era.
- Its specific tracking identifiers: COSPAR ID 1963-055B and SCN 00719.
- Deployment from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

## Body
### Mission Classification
Hitch Hiker 3 is classified as a reconnaissance satellite. According to structured data records, this class of satellite is engineered to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It holds the distinction of being a distinct entity within satellite catalogs, referenced by the Wolfram Language code `Entity["Satellite", "00719"]`.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite's deployment was executed on December 21, 1963. The launch event took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

**Vehicle Specifications:**
The launch vehicle utilized was the Thor-Agena D. This vehicle is categorized as an American orbital launch vehicle and was the chosen platform for inserting Hitch Hiker 3 into its intended trajectory.

### Identification and Tracking
Hitch Hiker 3 is tracked and referenced through several formal identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1963-055B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00719

These identifiers allow for the precise cataloging of the object within international space registries and academic databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report