# Vela 1B

> U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q9368345](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9368345)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_1B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vela-1b

## Summary
Vela 1B is a U.S. reconnaissance satellite that was launched in 1963 to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications.

## Key Facts
- It is classified as a reconnaissance satellite used for intelligence and military applications.
- Launched on October 17, 1963.
- Was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13.
- Used an Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle.
- Has the COSPAR ID 1963-039C and NSSDCA ID 1963-039C.
- Is part of the Vela program, which was focused on nuclear test monitoring.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Vela 1B?
A: Vela 1B is a U.S. reconnaissance satellite launched in 1963 to collect intelligence data.

### Q: When was Vela 1B launched?
A: It was launched on October 17, 1963.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Vela 1B?
A: The launch vehicle was an Atlas-Agena D.

## Why It Matters
Vela 1B was part of the Vela program, which was a series of U.S. reconnaissance satellites designed to monitor nuclear tests and provide intelligence gathering capabilities during the Cold War. The satellite's ability to detect nuclear detonations from space provided critical intelligence for military and diplomatic decision-making, helping to monitor compliance with nuclear test bans and inform strategic decisions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

## Notable For
- It was one of the first satellites in the Vela program, specifically designed to detect nuclear explosions.
- It represented an advancement in space-based reconnaissance technology during the Cold War era.
- The Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle was a common expendable launch system used for various U.S. satellites in the early 1960s.
- The satellite's COSPAR ID (1963-039C) and NSSDCA ID (1963-039C) are standardized identifiers used for tracking space objects.

## Body
### Technical Classification
Vela 1B is classified as a reconnaissance satellite with the COSPAR ID 1963-039C and NSSDCA ID 1963-039C. It was launched on October 17, 1963, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13 using an Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle.

### Launch Details
The launch occurred at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13 on October 17, 1963. The Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle was used, which was a common expendable launch system for U.S. satellites during that period.

### Program Context
The Vela program was established to monitor nuclear tests and provide intelligence for military applications. The program was particularly significant during the Cold War when nuclear testing was a major concern between the United States and the Soviet Union. The satellite's mission was to detect nuclear detonations from space, providing critical information for strategic decision-making.

### Operational Role
As a reconnaissance satellite, Vela 1B was designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. The specific technical capabilities and sensors onboard are not detailed in the provided information, but the satellite's classification indicates its role in intelligence gathering. The program's focus on nuclear test monitoring made it a key component of U.S. strategic intelligence during the Cold War era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report