# KH-4 9045
**Wikidata**: [Q9196238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9196238)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-4-9045

## Summary
KH-4 9045 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched on September 29, 1962. It was deployed into orbit using a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** KH-4 9045 is an instance of a reconnaissance satellite, a class of satellite designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on September 29, 1962.
*   **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:** Its international designation is 1962-050A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 00427.
*   **Significant Event:** The mission involved a rocket launch event categorized as a "rocket launch" occurring at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 on the specified launch date.

## FAQs
### Q: What was KH-4 9045?
A: KH-4 9045 was a reconnaissance satellite used for intelligence gathering. It was launched by the United States in 1962 to support military applications.

### Q: When and where was KH-4 9045 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 29, 1962, from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch KH-4 9045?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Thor-Agena D, an American orbital launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
KH-4 9045 represents a specific mission within the early era of space-based surveillance. As a reconnaissance satellite launched in 1962, it exemplifies the rapid development and deployment of orbital assets for national security during the Cold War. The mission utilized the Thor-Agena D rocket, a workhorse launch vehicle for American reconnaissance programs of that period, demonstrating the reliance on this specific technology to place intelligence-gathering payloads into orbit.

The entry of KH-4 9045 into orbit is documented through precise identifiers such as its COSPAR ID (1962-050A) and Satellite Catalog Number (00427). These identifiers allow historians and analysts to track the object's place in the timeline of spaceflight history. Launching from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, this mission contributed to the extensive operations conducted at that site, which was critical for deploying satellites into polar orbits suitable for global reconnaissance coverage. By fulfilling the role of a covert data collector, KH-4 9045 played a part in the broader strategy of utilizing space for defense and intelligence oversight.

## Notable For
*   **Intelligence Gathering:** Designed as a reconnaissance satellite specifically for the covert collection of military and intelligence data.
*   **1962 Launch:** A documented participant in the 1962 space launch calendar, specifically identified by the COSPAR ID 1962-050A.
*   **Vandenberg Operations:** Utilized the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, a key site for U.S. military space launches.
*   **Thor-Agena D Payload:** Served as a payload for the Thor-Agena D American orbital launch vehicle.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Classification
KH-4 9045 is classified as a reconnaissance satellite. Its primary function was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. The mission is officially recorded with a start point at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on September 29, 1962. The launch event is recorded as a significant milestone involving the deployment of the satellite from its designated launch complex.

### Vehicle and Propulsion
The launch vehicle used for this mission was the Thor-Agena D. This system is identified as an American orbital launch vehicle utilized to place the satellite into its required trajectory.

### Identification and Tracking
The object is cataloged in international and military databases with the following identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1962-050A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00427
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/121_c6q7

References for these data points include sources attributed to Wikidata identifiers Q6272367 and Q1551807. The entity has a sitelink count of 1, with a presence on Polish Wikipedia (pl).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report