# KH-4 9044

> USAF surveillance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11691525](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11691525)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-4-9044

## Summary
KH-4 9044 was a United States Air Force surveillance satellite launched on August 29, 1962. Classified as a reconnaissance satellite, its mission was to covertly collect data for intelligence and military applications. It was deployed into orbit using a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Reconnaissance satellite (USAF surveillance satellite).
- **Launch Date:** August 29, 1962.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena D.
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962-042A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00377.
- **Primary Function:** Covert data collection for intelligence or military applications.

## FAQs
### Q: What was KH-4 9044?
A: KH-4 9044 was a reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States Air Force. It was designed to gather intelligence and military data covertly from orbit.

### Q: When was KH-4 9044 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on August 29, 1962.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch KH-4 9044?
A: It was launched aboard a Thor-Agena D rocket, an American orbital launch vehicle, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

## Why It Matters
KH-4 9044 represents a specific mission within the early era of space-based reconnaissance, a critical period for the United States Air Force during the Cold War. As a reconnaissance satellite, it played a role in the strategic shift from aerial surveillance to orbital monitoring, allowing for the covert collection of intelligence without the physical risks associated with manned overflights.

Launched in the summer of 1962, this mission contributed to the broader efforts of the KH (Key Hole) program to provide timely intelligence data. The utilization of the Thor-Agena D launch vehicle highlights the technological standards of the early 1960s, where specific rocket configurations were tailored for deploying military payloads from sites like Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2. The satellite's identification as a distinct entity (COSPAR 1962-042A) underscores the meticulous tracking required for defense assets in low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- **Military Intelligence:** Specifically designed for covert data collection for intelligence or military applications.
- **Early 1960s Technology:** Utilized the Thor-Agena D, a standard American orbital launch vehicle of that era.
- **Distinct Identifiers:** Uniquely tracked via COSPAR ID 1962-042A and Satellite Catalog Number 00377.
- **USAF Operation:** Directly operated by the United States Air Force.

## Body
### Mission Profile
KH-4 9044 functioned as a reconnaissance satellite, a class of spacecraft designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It is officially designated as an instance of a USAF surveillance satellite.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **August 29, 1962**. The launch event was a significant operation utilizing the **Thor-Agena D** launch vehicle, an American orbital rocket system used frequently for military and reconnaissance payloads during the 1960s.

**Launch Site:**
The launch originated from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2**. This site was a primary location for placing military satellites into polar or near-polar orbits.

### Technical Identifiers
KH-4 9044 is cataloged in international space records with the following identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1962-042A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00377

These identifiers allow for the precise tracking and historical referencing of the object within space command databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report