# KH-4A 1024
**Wikidata**: [Q21406032](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21406032)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-4a-1024

## Summary
KH-4A 1024 is an American strategic reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Corona class. Launched on September 22, 1965, it was part of a series of orbital surveillance missions conducted by the United States during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Corona-class strategic reconnaissance satellite.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Launch Date:** September 22, 1965.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena D.
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 01602.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1965-074A.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "01602"].

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of KH-4A 1024?
A: KH-4A 1024 was a strategic reconnaissance satellite used for orbital surveillance. It was part of the Corona program, which was a series of American satellites designed to gather intelligence from space.

### Q: When and where was KH-4A 1024 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 22, 1965. The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 in California, United States.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch KH-4A 1024?
A: KH-4A 1024 was deployed into orbit using a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle. This was a standard American orbital launch vehicle used for various strategic and scientific missions.

## Why It Matters
KH-4A 1024 is a representative component of the Corona program, the first series of strategic reconnaissance satellites operated by the United States. During the mid-1960s, these satellites were essential for providing the U.S. government with overhead intelligence that was otherwise unobtainable. By utilizing the Thor-Agena D launch vehicle and operating out of Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3, KH-4A 1024 demonstrated the maturity of American orbital launch capabilities and the infrastructure dedicated to national security. The data gathered by the Corona class played a significant role in strategic planning and monitoring during the Cold War, marking a pivotal shift in how global surveillance was conducted.

## Notable For
- **Corona Program Membership:** It is an instance of the first generation of American strategic reconnaissance satellites.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** It was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3, a primary site for U.S. reconnaissance missions.
- **Technical Identification:** It is uniquely identified in astronomical and military catalogs as SCN 01602 and COSPAR ID 1965-074A.
- **Historical Era:** Its 1965 launch places it in the middle of the high-tension period of the Cold War.

## Body
### Mission and Classification
KH-4A 1024 was a strategic reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States. It is classified as part of the Corona program, a pioneering series of satellites designed to perform orbital surveillance. These missions were critical to American intelligence efforts during the 20th century.

### Launch Operations
The satellite reached orbit following a successful rocket launch on September 22, 1965. The operation was conducted using the following technical parameters:
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Agena D, an American orbital launch vehicle.
*   **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3.
*   **Significant Event:** The launch is recorded as a primary significant event for the entity, occurring at a specific point in time (1965-09-22).

### Technical Specifications and Tracking
KH-4A 1024 is documented in various scientific and military databases for tracking and identification purposes:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 01602.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1965-074A.
*   **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "01602"].
*   **Sitelink Count:** The entity is referenced across different language platforms, including a presence in Polish (pl) Wikipedia.

### Program Context
As a Corona-class satellite, KH-4A 1024 was part of a broader American effort to establish a reliable strategic reconnaissance presence in space. The program utilized the Thor-Agena D vehicle for its orbital deployments, reflecting the standardized technology used for reconnaissance during this era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report