# SAMOS 3

> American reconnaissance satellite lost in a launch failure

**Wikidata**: [Q7410035](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7410035)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samos_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/samos-3

## Summary
SAMOS 3 was an American reconnaissance satellite that failed to reach orbit when launched on September 9, 1961, due to a launch vehicle failure. This satellite was the third in the SAMOS series, an early American military reconnaissance program that aimed to collect intelligence data from space.

## Key Facts
- SAMOS 3 was launched on September 9, 1961, at 19:28:27 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West
- The satellite failed to reach orbit due to a launch failure of its Atlas-Agena B rocket (vehicle number 106D/2120)
- It was the third satellite in the SAMOS reconnaissance satellite series, following SAMOS 2 and preceding SAMOS 4
- SAMOS 3 had the NSSDCA identifier SAMOS3 and was also known as SAMOS E-2 No. 1
- The satellite was a product of the United States and was part of the American reconnaissance satellite class
- After launch failure on the same day as launch, it was considered a dissolved/abolished entity
- The satellite had a Freebase ID of /m/0cc5kk7
- It had 2 sitelinks available (referring to Wikipedia and possibly other sources)

## FAQs
### Q: What was SAMOS 3 designed to do?
A: SAMOS 3 was designed as a reconnaissance satellite to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. Like other satellites in the SAMOS series, it would have served as part of early American satellite surveillance capabilities.

### Q: Why did SAMOS 3 fail?
A: SAMOS 3 failed to reach orbit due to a launch vehicle failure. The Atlas-Agena B rocket carrying the satellite malfunctioned during launch on September 9, 1961, preventing the satellite from achieving its intended orbit.

### Q: How does SAMOS 3 compare to other SAMOS satellites?
A: SAMOS 3 was the third satellite in the SAMOS series, following SAMOS 2 and preceding SAMOS 4. Like SAMOS 4, it suffered a launch failure, distinguishing it from SAMOS 2 which presumably achieved orbit. All were part of the American reconnaissance satellite program.

## Why It Matters
SAMOS 3 represents an early chapter in the development of American reconnaissance satellites, a critical technology in the Cold War context. Despite its launch failure, the program it was part of helped establish the foundations of space-based surveillance capabilities that would evolve into modern reconnaissance satellites. The SAMOS series provided valuable experience in satellite design, launch vehicles, and intelligence gathering techniques, contributing to the United States' space capabilities during a period of intense geopolitical competition. The lessons learned from launches like SAMOS 3, both successful and failed, directly informed subsequent reconnaissance satellite programs.

## Notable For
- Being the third satellite in the SAMOS reconnaissance satellite series
- Launching on September 9, 1961, aboard an Atlas-Agena B rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West
- Failing to reach orbit on its launch date, resulting in dissolution of the mission on the same day
- Being part of an early American military reconnaissance satellite program
- Having the alternate designation of SAMOS E-2 No. 1

## Body
### Mission Overview
SAMOS 3 was an American reconnaissance satellite designed to collect intelligence data from orbit. It was part of the SAMOS (Satellite and Missile Observation System) series, which was an early American military reconnaissance satellite program. The satellite was intended to follow the path of its predecessor SAMOS 2 and be succeeded by SAMOS 4.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on September 9, 1961, at 19:28:27 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West in California. It was carried by an Atlas-Agena B rocket with the vehicle number 106D/2120. Despite the launch attempt, the mission resulted in a failure, preventing the satellite from reaching orbit.

### Technical Specifications
SAMOS 3 was classified as a reconnaissance satellite, a type of satellite designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It was developed by the United States as part of its early space reconnaissance efforts. The satellite had the NSSDCA identifier SAMOS3 and was also known by the alias SAMOS E-2 No. 1. Its Freebase ID was /m/0cc5kk7.

### Program Context
SAMOS 3 was part of the broader SAMOS reconnaissance satellite series, which was an American reconnaissance satellite program. The series included SAMOS 2 (which preceded SAMOS 3) and SAMOS 4 (which followed SAMOS 3). Despite the failure of SAMOS 3 and SAMOS 4, the SAMOS program contributed to the development of American reconnaissance satellite capabilities.

### Outcome
The mission was unsuccessful due to a launch failure on the same day as its launch (September 9, 1961). This resulted in the satellite being classified as a dissolved or abolished entity. The failure of SAMOS 3 echoed the fate of SAMOS 4, which also suffered a launch failure.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "SAMOS 3",
  "description": "American reconnaissance satellite lost in a launch failure",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samos_3",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samos_3"
  ],
  "additionalType": "reconnaissance satellite"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report