# MIDAS 3

> American early-warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11764910](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11764910)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/midas-3

## Summary
MIDAS 3 was an American early-warning satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Missile Defense Alarm System. Launched on July 12, 1961, using an Atlas-Agena B rocket, the 1,800-kilogram spacecraft was designed for reconnaissance and missile detection. It was manufactured by the Lockheed Corporation and succeeded the MIDAS 2 satellite.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** MIDAS 3 is classified as a reconnaissance satellite and an early-warning satellite.
- **Launch Date:** It launched on July 12, 1961, at 15:11:46 UTC.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using an Atlas-Agena B expendable launch system (specifically the 97D/1201 variant).
- **Operator & Funder:** The satellite was funded and operated by the United States Air Force.
- **Manufacturer:** The Lockheed Corporation served as the general contractor.
- **Mass:** The satellite had a total mass of 1,800 kilograms.
- **Identifiers:** It holds the COSPAR ID 1961-018A and the Harvard designation 1961 Sigma 1.
- **Power & Propulsion:** It was powered by two spacecraft solar arrays and a Bell Model 8081 propulsion system.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of MIDAS 3?
A: MIDAS 3 was designed as an early-warning and reconnaissance satellite to support the United States Air Force's Missile Defense Alarm System.

### Q: When and where was MIDAS 3 launched?
A: MIDAS 3 was launched on July 12, 1961, from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East in California.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch MIDAS 3?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Atlas-Agena B, a type of expendable launch system.

## Why It Matters
MIDAS 3 represents a specific technological effort during the early 1960s to develop space-based early-warning capabilities. As a component of the Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS), it highlights the transition of military intelligence from atmospheric to orbital platforms. The program aimed to provide timely warning of missile attacks, a strategic necessity during that era.

The satellite's development by Lockheed Corporation and its launch via the Atlas-Agena B system underscore the industrial and aerospace collaborations prevalent in United States defense projects of the time. Weighing 1,800 kilograms, MIDAS 3 was a substantial piece of hardware, reflecting the significant resources allocated to reconnaissance and surveillance infrastructure. Its placement in the sequence between MIDAS 2 and MIDAS 4 illustrates the iterative process of refining space-based detection technologies through successive missions.

## Notable For
- Being an integral part of the **Missile Defense Alarm System**, a pioneering program in satellite-based early warning.
- Its **mass of 1,800 kg**, making it a heavy satellite for its time period.
- Utilizing the **Atlas-Agena B** launch system, a standard vehicle for U.S. military and intelligence payloads of that era.
- Serving as a predecessor to **MIDAS 4**, continuing the series of American early-warning satellite tests.
- Inclusion of a **Bell Model 8081** propulsion system and solar arrays, indicating advanced power and maneuvering capabilities for 1961.

## Body

### Mission Context
MIDAS 3 functioned as a reconnaissance satellite with a specific role in early-warning systems. It operated under the auspices of the United States Air Force, which acted as both the funder and the operator. The satellite is also known by the aliases "Midas ETS-II F1" and "Military Defense Alarm System 3." It formed a part of the broader Missile Defense Alarm System program.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite successfully lifted off from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East** on **July 12, 1961**. The precise time of the significant event (rocket launch) was recorded at 15:11:46. The launch vehicle utilized was the **Atlas-Agena B**, identified by the variant code 97D/1201.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft had a recorded mass of **1,800 kilograms**. Its design incorporated specific technologies for power and movement:
- **Propulsion:** The satellite utilized a Bell Model 8081 engine.
- **Power Supply:** It was equipped with two spacecraft solar arrays to generate electrical power.
- **Contractors:** The **Lockheed Corporation** was responsible for the satellite's construction, acting as the general contractor.

### Cataloging and Sequence
MIDAS 3 is officially cataloged under the **COSPAR ID 1961-018A** and the **Satellite Catalog Number 00163**. Historically, it followed **MIDAS 2** in the launch sequence and was subsequently followed by **MIDAS 4**.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "MIDAS 3",
  "description": "An American early-warning satellite and part of the Missile Defense Alarm System, launched in 1961.",
  "identifier": "1961-018A",
  "additionalType": "Reconnaissance Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/midas-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1961-018A)