# MIDAS 2

> American early-warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q4292805](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4292805)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/midas-2

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **MIDAS 2**:

---

## Summary  
MIDAS 2 was an American early-warning satellite launched in 1960 as part of the Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS). It was designed to detect ballistic missile launches using infrared sensors and was operated by the United States Air Force. The satellite had a short operational lifespan, losing signal just two days after launch.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: May 24, 1960, at 17:36:46 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 14.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas-Agena A (serial number 45D/1007).  
- **Mass**: 2,300 kg (launch weight).  
- **Orbit**: Apoapsis of 511 km, periapsis of 484 km, with an orbital inclination of 33 degrees.  
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Corporation (general contractor) and Aerojet (payload).  
- **Power Source**: Bell Model 8048 propulsion system and batteries.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1960-006A.  
- **Operational Status**: Lost signal on May 26, 1960; re-entered Earth's atmosphere on February 7, 1974.  
- **Preceded by**: MIDAS 1 (destroyed in launch failure).  
- **Followed by**: MIDAS 3.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of MIDAS 2?  
A: MIDAS 2 was designed as an early-warning satellite to detect ballistic missile launches using infrared sensors, providing strategic defense capabilities for the United States.  

### Q: How long did MIDAS 2 remain operational?  
A: The satellite lost signal just two days after launch on May 26, 1960, and re-entered Earth's atmosphere in 1974.  

### Q: Who operated MIDAS 2?  
A: The United States Air Force funded and operated MIDAS 2, with Lockheed Corporation serving as the primary manufacturer.  

## Why It Matters  
MIDAS 2 was a critical component of the Cold War-era Missile Defense Alarm System, representing early efforts to develop space-based missile detection capabilities. Its launch marked advancements in reconnaissance satellite technology, though its short operational lifespan highlighted the challenges of early space missions. The program laid groundwork for later early-warning systems, influencing modern satellite defense networks. Despite its limitations, MIDAS 2 demonstrated the feasibility of using infrared sensors for missile detection, a concept still employed today.  

## Notable For  
- **First Successful MIDAS Launch**: Unlike its predecessor MIDAS 1, which failed, MIDAS 2 reached orbit.  
- **Early Infrared Detection**: Pioneered the use of infrared sensors for missile launch detection.  
- **Cold War Significance**: Part of a classified U.S. military program during heightened Cold War tensions.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on May 24, 1960, aboard an Atlas-Agena A rocket.  
- Mission: Detect ballistic missile launches via infrared sensors.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Dimensions**: 1.5 meters in diameter.  
- **Orbital Period**: 94.4 minutes.  
- **Power**: Propulsion by Bell Model 8048; electric power from batteries.  

### Operational Timeline  
- **Signal Loss**: May 26, 1960.  
- **Re-entry**: February 7, 1974.  

### Legacy  
- Preceded by MIDAS 1; succeeded by MIDAS 3.  
- Contributed to the development of modern early-warning satellites.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "MIDAS 2",
  "description": "American early-warning satellite launched in 1960.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q00043"],
  "additionalType": "Reconnaissance Satellite"
}
```

--- 

This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/midas-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1960-006A)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1960-006A)