# Vela 4B

> U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q83277213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83277213)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_4B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vela-4b

## Summary
Vela 4B was a United States reconnaissance satellite launched on April 28, 1967. Classified as a military satellite, it was deployed into orbit using a Titan IIIC launch vehicle. The satellite is alternatively known by the alias OPS 6679.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Military satellite (U.S. reconnaissance satellite).
- **Launch Date:** April 28, 1967.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Titan IIIC.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1967-040B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 02766.
- **Alternative Name:** OPS 6679.
- **Operator:** United States (implied by "U.S. reconnaissance satellite").
- **Wikidata Entity ID:** Q328 (referenced for SCN and COSPAR ID).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Vela 4B launched?
A: Vela 4B was launched on April 28, 1967.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used to deploy Vela 4B?
A: The satellite was launched using a Titan IIIC rocket, a model of the Titan III launch vehicle.

### Q: What was the primary function of Vela 4B?
A: Vela 4B functioned as a U.S. reconnaissance satellite and was classified as a military satellite used for defense purposes.

## Why It Matters
Vela 4B serves as a specific historical example of United States military space infrastructure during the mid-20th century. As an instance of a military satellite, it represents the technological capabilities of the era, specifically utilizing the Titan IIIC launch vehicle—a model of the Titan III family—to achieve orbit. The satellite's designation as a reconnaissance asset highlights the U.S. defense focus on monitoring and intelligence gathering via artificial satellites during this period.

The entry also illustrates the complexity of satellite identification systems, bearing multiple identifiers such as the COSPAR ID (1967-040B), the Satellite Catalog Number (02766), and the military designation OPS 6679. By examining entities like Vela 4B, researchers can better understand the deployment patterns of military satellites and the evolution of launch vehicle technologies like the Titan IIIC.

## Notable For
- **Military Classification:** Explicitly classified as a military satellite used for military purposes.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Titan IIIC, a notable model of the Titan III launch vehicle family.
- **Multiple Identifiers:** Distinguished by three separate identification codes: COSPAR ID 1967-040B, SCN 02766, and the alias OPS 6679.
- **Reconnaissance Role:** Identified specifically as a U.S. reconnaissance satellite.

## Body

### Classification and Identity
Vela 4B is defined in knowledge bases as a U.S. reconnaissance satellite. It falls under the broader class of **military satellites**, which are artificial satellites used for military purposes. The entity is linked to the Titan IIIC launch vehicle class, which was used to propel it into space.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **April 28, 1967**. The launch was facilitated by a **Titan IIIC** vehicle. The Titan IIIC is recognized as a specific model within the Titan III family of launch vehicles, noted in related data for its association with military payloads.

### Technical Identifiers
Vela 4B is tracked and referenced through several specific identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1967-040B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 02766
- **Alias:** OPS 6679

These identifiers allow for the precise tracking and differentiation of the satellite within global space catalogs and military records. The satellite's details are corroborated by references found in Wikidata and academic sources.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report