# OV1-11

> US Air Force satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q113148069](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113148069)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV1-11)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ov1-11

## Summary

OV1-11 is a US Air Force satellite launched on July 27, 1967, representing one of the early American military space missions designed to operate in Earth orbit. It was launched from a SM-65D Atlas rocket, the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile, as part of the OV1 (Orbital Vehicle 1) program. The satellite is cataloged with the NSSDC ID OV1-11 and is classified as a spacecraft.

## Key Facts

- **NSSDC ID:** OV1-11
- **Classification:** Spacecraft
- **Launch Date:** July 27, 1967
- **Launch Vehicle:** SM-65D Atlas (first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile)
- **Operator:** US Air Force
- **Wikipedia Entry:** Exists in English language (sitelink_count: 1)
- **Wikidata Description:** US Air Force satellite

## FAQs

**What type of satellite is OV1-11?**
OV1-11 is a US Air Force satellite, specifically designed and operated for military purposes as part of America's early space exploration efforts.

**When was OV1-11 launched?**
OV1-11 was launched on July 27, 1967, during the height of the Cold War era when the United States was actively developing its space capabilities.

**What launch vehicle was used for OV1-11?**
OV1-11 was launched aboard an SM-65D Atlas rocket, which was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile system.

**What program did OV1-11 belong to?**
OV1-11 was part of the OV1 (Orbital Vehicle 1) program, a series of satellites operated by the US Air Force for various military research and surveillance purposes.

## Why It Matters

OV1-11 represents an important chapter in American military space history, demonstrating the US Air Force's early commitment to establishing a presence in space for national security purposes. The OV1 program overall contributed significantly to understanding Earth's orbital environment, testing satellite technologies, and gathering intelligence during a period of intense geopolitical competition. The use of the SM-65D Atlas as a launch vehicle is particularly notable, as it marked the transition from missile technology to space launch capability—a critical evolution in the development of American space infrastructure. Understanding satellites like OV1-11 helps contextualize the foundations of modern military space operations, which have become increasingly vital to national defense in the decades since.

## Notable For

- Part of the early US Air Force satellite program from the 1960s
- Launched during the peak of Cold War space competition
- Utilized the SM-65D Atlas, the first operational version of the Atlas missile, for space access
- Represents the military origins of American space operations

## Body

### Historical Context

OV1-11 was launched on July 27, 1967, as part of the broader OV1 program initiated by the US Air Force. This period marked a critical phase in space exploration, with both the United States and Soviet Union actively developing military and scientific satellite capabilities. The OV1 series represented America's effort to establish reliable orbital platforms for various military applications, including reconnaissance, communications, and scientific research.

### Technical Specifications

The satellite carries the NSSDC ID OV1-11, which serves as its official catalog identifier in space mission databases. As a US Air Force satellite, OV1-11 was designed to operate within Earth's orbital environment, though specific technical parameters regarding its orbit, mission duration, and operational capabilities are not detailed in the available source material.

### Launch System

OV1-11 was deployed using the SM-65D Atlas launch vehicle, a significant milestone in American launch technology. The SM-65D Atlas was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile, representing the foundational technology that would evolve into the Atlas rocket family still used for space launches today. This launch vehicle choice reflects the early practice of adapting military missile technology for space exploration purposes, a common pattern during the 1950s and 1960s.

### Program Classification

The satellite is classified as a spacecraft—a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space. This classification places OV1-11 within the broader category of artificial satellites that orbit Earth, serving purposes ranging from scientific research to military applications. The spacecraft classification encompasses a wide variety of orbital vehicles, with OV1-11 representing the military branch of this diverse field.

### Documentation and References

OV1-11 maintains a presence in both Wikipedia and Wikidata databases, with an English-language Wikipedia article dedicated to the satellite. The wikidata entry describes the object simply as a "US Air Force satellite," reflecting its primary identification as a military space asset. This documentation ensures the satellite's place in space history records, though the limited available information suggests the mission may have been one of many operational rather than highly publicized military space activities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report