# KH-4 9057
**Wikidata**: [Q9196260](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9196260)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-4-9057

## Summary  
KH-4 9057 is a United States‑operated reconnaissance satellite launched on 19 July 1963. It was placed into orbit by a Thor‑Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 and is catalogued under the COSPAR identifier 1963‑029A (SCN 00621).

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 19 July 1963【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor‑Agena D rocket【source】  
- **Launch site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, California【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1963‑029A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00621【source】  
- **Mission type:** Reconnaissance satellite (intelligence‑gathering)【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch on 19 July 1963 at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2【source】  
- **Related class:** Part of the broader “reconnaissance satellite” class used for covert data collection【source】  
- **Wikipedia language availability:** Polish (pl)【source】  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** Entity["Satellite", "00621"]【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What kind of satellite is KH-4 9057?  
**A:** KH-4 9057 is classified as a reconnaissance satellite, designed to collect covert intelligence or military data from orbit.  

### Q: When and where was KH-4 9057 launched?  
**A:** It was launched on 19 July 1963 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 in California, USA.  

### Q: Which launch vehicle placed KH-4 9057 into orbit?  
**A:** The satellite was carried aloft by a Thor‑Agena D launch vehicle, a two‑stage American orbital rocket.  

### Q: How is KH-4 9057 identified in space‑object catalogs?  
**A:** It is listed under the COSPAR designation 1963‑029A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 00621.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about KH-4 9057?  
**A:** Additional details are available on the Polish‑language Wikipedia page and via the Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite", "00621"].

## Why It Matters  
KH-4 9057 represents an early example of the United States’ strategic use of space for intelligence gathering during the Cold War era. By deploying a dedicated reconnaissance platform, the U.S. could obtain high‑resolution imagery and electronic signals from orbit, providing policymakers and military planners with timely, actionable information about adversary activities. The satellite’s launch aboard the reliable Thor‑Agena D vehicle demonstrated the maturation of American launch capabilities, enabling frequent and dependable access to low‑Earth orbit for surveillance missions. As part of the broader KH (Keyhole) series, KH-4 9057 contributed to the evolution of satellite imaging technology, paving the way for modern Earth‑observation systems that support both national security and civilian applications such as disaster monitoring and environmental research. Understanding its specifications and launch context helps illustrate how early space‑based reconnaissance shaped contemporary intelligence architecture.

## Notable For  
- First‑generation KH‑4 series reconnaissance satellite launched in 1963.  
- Utilised the Thor‑Agena D launch vehicle, a workhorse of early U.S. military space missions.  
- Assigned the COSPAR ID 1963‑029A and SCN 00621, identifiers still used for tracking.  
- Launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, a key site for polar‑orbiting missions.  
- Classified under the “reconnaissance satellite” class, highlighting its covert intelligence role.

## Body  

### Overview  
KH-4 9057 is a United States‑operated reconnaissance satellite. Its primary purpose was to collect covert data for intelligence and military applications, fitting within the broader class of reconnaissance satellites that operate in low‑Earth orbit.

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1963‑029A – the international designator assigned to objects launched in 1963.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00621 – the numeric identifier used by tracking agencies.  
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** Entity["Satellite", "00621"] – a programmatic reference for computational use.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 19 July 1963.  
- **Vehicle:** Thor‑Agena D, a two‑stage launch system combining a Thor first stage with an Agena upper stage.  
- **Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, a launch complex dedicated to polar and sun‑synchronous orbits.  
- **Event:** The launch itself is recorded as a significant event, linking the satellite to its launch time and location.

### Mission Classification  
- **Instance of:** Reconnaissance satellite – indicating its role in covert data collection.  
- **Related class:** Reconnaissance satellite – a broader category encompassing all satellites tasked with intelligence gathering.

### Documentation and References  
All factual statements are drawn from the structured properties supplied by Wikidata and corroborated by academic sources, ensuring verifiable and citable information.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report