# MIDAS 9

> American early-warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11764914](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11764914)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/midas-9

## Summary
MIDAS 9 was an American early-warning satellite launched on July 19, 1963, as part of the Missile Defense Alarm System. It was designed to detect missile launches using infrared sensors and was operated by the United States Air Force.

## Key Facts
- Launched on July 19, 1963, at 03:51:18 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East
- Weighed approximately 2,000 kilograms at launch
- Operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Missile Defense Alarm System
- Launched using an Atlas-Agena B rocket (variant 75D/1207)
- Had the COSPAR ID 1963-030A and NSSDCA ID 1963-030A
- Manufactured by Lockheed Corporation as general contractor and Aerojet for the payload
- Powered by Bell Model 8081 propulsion system and two solar arrays
- Followed by MIDAS 10 in the satellite series

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of MIDAS 9?
A: MIDAS 9 was designed to detect missile launches using infrared sensors as part of the United States' early warning defense system against potential Soviet missile attacks.

### Q: How was MIDAS 9 launched into orbit?
A: MIDAS 9 was launched on July 19, 1963, using an Atlas-Agena B rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East in California.

### Q: Who operated and funded MIDAS 9?
A: The United States Air Force operated and funded MIDAS 9 as part of the broader Missile Defense Alarm System program.

## Why It Matters
MIDAS 9 represented a critical advancement in American military space capabilities during the Cold War era. As part of the Missile Defense Alarm System, it provided the United States with the ability to detect Soviet missile launches from space, offering crucial early warning time that could potentially save millions of lives in the event of a nuclear attack. The satellite's infrared detection technology was pioneering for its time and laid the groundwork for modern missile warning systems. MIDAS 9's successful deployment demonstrated the viability of space-based early warning systems, which became a cornerstone of American strategic defense policy throughout the Cold War and continue to be essential components of national security infrastructure today. The program also contributed significantly to the development of space-based reconnaissance and surveillance technologies that would later be applied to both military and civilian applications.

## Notable For
- First generation of American space-based missile launch detection systems
- Pioneered the use of infrared sensors for detecting ballistic missile launches from space
- Demonstrated the feasibility of continuous space-based surveillance of potential adversaries
- Contributed to the development of early warning systems that remain critical to national security
- Represented a major technological achievement in Cold War-era space capabilities

## Body
### Technical Specifications
MIDAS 9 was a substantial satellite for its era, with a launch mass of 2,000 kilograms. The satellite was powered by a combination of propulsion systems, including the Bell Model 8081 engine, and two solar arrays that provided electrical power for its operations. The satellite's primary sensor payload was designed to detect the infrared signatures of missile launches against the cold background of space.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on July 19, 1963, at precisely 03:51:18 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East, a facility specifically designed for polar orbit launches. The Atlas-Agena B rocket, specifically the 75D/1207 variant, successfully placed MIDAS 9 into its intended orbit. This launch represented the continuation of the United States' efforts to establish a reliable space-based missile detection capability.

### System Architecture
MIDAS 9 was part of the broader Missile Defense Alarm System, which consisted of a constellation of satellites designed to provide continuous coverage of potential missile launch sites. The satellite's infrared sensors were specifically calibrated to detect the intense heat signatures produced by missile launches, particularly those of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The data collected by MIDAS 9 would have been transmitted to ground stations for analysis and potential response coordination.

### Program Context
MIDAS 9 was the ninth satellite in the MIDAS program, following MIDAS 8 and preceding MIDAS 10. The program represented one of the earliest and most significant applications of space technology for military early warning purposes. The United States Air Force managed the program, with Lockheed Corporation serving as the primary contractor responsible for satellite integration and Aerojet providing specialized payload components. The program's success helped establish the foundation for subsequent generations of missile warning satellites that continue to operate today.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/midas-6.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1963-030A)