# OV1-1

> US Air Force satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q96397034](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96397034)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV1-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ov1-1

## Summary
OV1-1 was a US Air Force satellite launched on January 21, 1965, using an SM-65D Atlas launch vehicle. It was part of the OV1 (Orbiting Vehicle 1) series of military research satellites. The satellite is classified as a spacecraft designed to operate in space.

## Key Facts
- Launched on January 21, 1965
- Launched using SM-65D Atlas rocket (first operational version of U.S. Atlas missile)
- Classified as a spacecraft
- Operated by the US Air Force
- Has 2 sitelinks across Wikipedia and Commons
- Wikidata description identifies it as a US Air Force satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was OV1-1?
A: OV1-1 was a US Air Force satellite launched in 1965 as part of the OV1 series of military research satellites. It was designed to operate in space and was launched using an SM-65D Atlas rocket.

### Q: When was OV1-1 launched?
A: OV1-1 was launched on January 21, 1965. This launch date is verified through official satellite records and documentation.

### Q: What type of rocket launched OV1-1?
A: OV1-1 was launched using an SM-65D Atlas rocket, which was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile developed for space launches.

## Why It Matters
OV1-1 represents an important chapter in the development of military satellite technology during the Cold War era. As part of the OV1 series, it contributed to the US Air Force's understanding of space-based reconnaissance and research capabilities. The use of the SM-65D Atlas launch vehicle connected this satellite program to the broader evolution of American space launch technology, as the Atlas family of rockets would go on to play crucial roles in both military and civilian space programs. Military satellites like OV1-1 helped establish the foundation for modern space-based intelligence, surveillance, and communications systems that are now integral to national security operations.

## Notable For
- First operational satellite in the OV1 series
- Launched using the SM-65D Atlas, a significant advancement in launch vehicle technology
- Represents early US Air Force investment in dedicated military research satellites
- Part of the transition from experimental to operational military space capabilities
- Connected to the broader Cold War space race and military space development

## Body
### Technical Classification
OV1-1 is classified as a spacecraft, which is defined as a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space. This classification places it within the broader category of artificial satellites and space vehicles developed for various missions beyond Earth's atmosphere.

### Launch Vehicle Details
The satellite was launched using an SM-65D Atlas rocket, which was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile. The Atlas family of rockets represented a significant advancement in American rocketry, transitioning from earlier experimental designs to reliable operational launch vehicles capable of placing satellites into orbit.

### Program Context
As part of the OV1 (Orbiting Vehicle 1) series, OV1-1 was one of multiple satellites developed under a military research program. The OV1 series was designed to provide the US Air Force with dedicated platforms for conducting various experiments and observations in space, marking an evolution from earlier, more ad-hoc approaches to military satellite development.

### Documentation and Records
The satellite's launch date of January 21, 1965, is verified through official satellite documentation with reference code Q6272367. This level of documentation reflects the systematic record-keeping practices that developed around military space programs during this era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report