# KH-5 9066A
**Wikidata**: [Q11691539](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11691539)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-5-9066a

## Summary  
KH-5 9066A is a United States KH‑5 Argon reconnaissance satellite launched on 21 August 1964. It was placed into orbit by a Thor‑Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 and is catalogued under COSPAR ID 1964‑048A (SCN 00861).

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 21 August 1964【source】.  
- **Launch site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, California【source】.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor‑Agena D rocket【source】.  
- **Satellite series:** KH‑5 Argon, a U.S. photographic reconnaissance program【source】.  
- **COSPAR identifier:** 1964‑048A【source】.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00861【source】.  
- **Instance of:** KH‑5 Argon satellite class【source】.  
- **Significant event recorded:** rocket launch at Vandenberg on the launch date【source】.  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** Entity["Satellite","00861"]【source】.  
- **Polish Wikipedia entry exists** (language code pl)【source】.

## FAQs  
### Q: What was KH-5 9066A?  
A: KH-5 9066A was a U.S. KH‑5 Argon photographic reconnaissance satellite launched in August 1964 to collect imagery from orbit.  

### Q: When and where was KH-5 9066A launched?  
A: It launched on 21 August 1964 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 using a Thor‑Agena D launch vehicle.  

### Q: What program does KH-5 9066A belong to?  
A: It is part of the KH‑5 Argon series, a Cold‑War era U.S. satellite program focused on wide‑area photographic mapping.  

### Q: How is KH-5 9066A identified in space catalogs?  
A: The satellite’s COSPAR ID is 1964‑048A and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 00861.  

### Q: Where can I find more technical data on KH-5 9066A?  
A: The Wolfram Language entity code for the satellite is Entity["Satellite","00861"], which can be used to retrieve structured data in Wolfram environments.  

## Why It Matters  
KH-5 9066A represents a key node in the United States’ early space‑based intelligence architecture. As a member of the KH‑5 Argon series, it contributed to the development of large‑scale photographic mapping capabilities that supported both military planning and scientific cartography during the Cold War. The satellite’s launch from Vandenberg demonstrated the reliability of the Thor‑Agena launch system for polar orbits, a trajectory essential for global reconnaissance. By capturing imagery of vast terrestrial regions, KH‑5 9066A helped refine target identification, terrain analysis, and strategic decision‑making, laying groundwork for later, higher‑resolution reconnaissance platforms. Its documented identifiers (COSPAR ID, SCN, Wolfram code) ensure that historical and technical records remain accessible for researchers studying the evolution of satellite surveillance and space launch technology.  

## Notable For  
- First KH‑5 Argon satellite launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.  
- Utilized the Thor‑Agena D launch vehicle, a workhorse of early U.S. polar‑orbit missions.  
- Assigned COSPAR ID 1964‑048A, linking it to the international satellite cataloging system.  
- Cataloged as SCN 00861, enabling precise tracking in orbital debris databases.  
- Included in the Wolfram Language satellite entity library, facilitating computational analysis.  

## Body  

### Designation and Classification  
- **Name:** KH‑5 9066A.  
- **Class:** Instance of the KH‑5 Argon reconnaissance satellite series.  
- **Purpose:** Photographic mapping and intelligence gathering (inferred from series description).  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 21 August 1964.  
- **Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, California, USA.  
- **Vehicle:** Thor‑Agena D, a two‑stage launch system combining a Thor first stage with an Agena upper stage.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” significant event at the launch complex on the launch date.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1964‑048A – the international designation for objects launched in 1964.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00861 – the U.S. Space Command tracking number.  
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** Entity["Satellite","00861"] – enables programmatic access to satellite data.  

### Mission Context  
- Part of the broader **KH‑5 Argon** program, which provided wide‑area photographic coverage for the United States during the 1960s.  
- Launched into a **polar orbit**, typical for reconnaissance satellites needing global coverage.  

### Legacy and Documentation  
- The satellite is referenced in multiple data repositories, including Wikidata (source Q6272367) and the Polish Wikipedia (language code pl).  
- Its launch and specifications are documented in historical launch logs and space object catalogs, ensuring continued availability for research and historical analysis.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report