# KH-4 9047
**Wikidata**: [Q9196243](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9196243)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-4-9047

## Summary
KH-4 9047 was a U.S. reconnaissance satellite launched on November 5, 1962, as part of the Corona program to conduct photographic surveillance for intelligence purposes. It was deployed using a Thor-Agena B rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, marking a key contribution to Cold War-era espionage efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 5, 1962
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-063A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 00453
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, California
- **Mission Type**: Photographic reconnaissance
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of the KH-4 Corona satellite series

## FAQs
### Q: When was KH-4 9047 launched?
A: KH-4 9047 was launched on November 5, 1962.

### Q: What was the purpose of KH-4 9047?
A: The satellite was designed to gather photographic intelligence for military and strategic planning during the Cold War.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch KH-4 9047?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Thor-Agena B launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
KH-4 9047 played a critical role in advancing U.S. capabilities in space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War. As part of the Corona program, it enabled the covert collection of photographic intelligence over denied territories, reducing reliance on risky manned spy flights like those of the U-2 aircraft. Its success underscored the strategic importance of satellite technology in national security, influencing the development of subsequent espionage systems and cementing the role of space assets in global intelligence-gathering operations.

## Notable For
- **Early Cold War Surveillance**: One of the first satellites to provide high-resolution photographic intelligence from space.
- **Thor-Agena B Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the reliability of this rocket for deploying sensitive reconnaissance payloads.
- **Corona Program Milestone**: Contributed to the Corona series’ reputation as a pioneering U.S. spy satellite initiative.
- **Short-Lived Mission**: Typical of early Corona satellites, which had brief operational periods due to limited film capacity and deorbiting requirements.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: November 5, 1962
- **Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1, California
- **Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B (a U.S. orbital launch vehicle used for military and intelligence missions)

### Mission Overview
- **Primary Objective**: To capture photographic intelligence using roll film, which was returned to Earth via re-entry capsules.
- **Classification**: Categorized as a KH-4 Corona satellite, part of the broader Corona program managed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and U.S. Air Force.

### Technical Specifications
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 00453
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-063A
- **Function**: Equipped with cameras designed to image Soviet and other denied territories.

### Historical Context
- **Cold War Significance**: Operated during a period of heightened geopolitical tension, providing critical data to U.S. policymakers.
- **Program Legacy**: The Corona program, including KH-4 9047, laid the foundation for modern satellite reconnaissance systems, despite early challenges such as film retrieval and satellite longevity.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report