# Vela 5B

> Vela 5B was one of two spin-stabilized, polyhedral satellites that comprised the fifth launch in the Vela program.

**Wikidata**: [Q111859446](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111859446)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_5B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vela-5b

## Summary
Vela 5B was a spin-stabilized, polyhedral artificial satellite and spacecraft launched on May 23, 1969. It was one of two satellites that comprised the fifth launch in the Vela program. The satellite is also known by the designations OPS 6911 and Vela 10.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** May 23, 1969.
- **Classifications:** Instance of an artificial satellite and spacecraft.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Launched aboard a Titan IIIC rocket.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1969-046E.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1969-046E.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 03955.
- **Design Features:** Spin-stabilized with a polyhedral shape.
- **Program Context:** Constituted one half of the fifth launch pair in the Vela program.
- **Alternate Names:** OPS 6911, Vela 10 (TRW), Vela 5B (USAF), Vela5B, VELA 10, Vela 6911.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Vela 5B?
A: Vela 5B was a human-made artificial satellite and spacecraft designed to fly in space. It was a spin-stabilized, polyhedral vehicle.

### Q: When was Vela 5B launched?
A: The satellite was launched on May 23, 1969.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Vela 5B?
A: Vela 5B was launched using a Titan IIIC launch vehicle.

### Q: What are the different names or identifiers for Vela 5B?
A: It is identified by the COSPAR and NSSDCA ID 1969-046E and the Satellite Catalog Number 03955. It also carried the aliases OPS 6911, Vela 10, and Vela 6911.

## Why It Matters
Vela 5B represents a specific technical and historical milestone in the Vela program as part of its fifth launch iteration. As a spin-stabilized, polyhedral spacecraft, it exemplifies the engineering architectures used for satellites in the late 1960s. The mission highlights the collaborative or multi-designation nature of space assets during this era, evidenced by its multiple aliases including designators from TRW and the USAF (OPS 6911). 

Launched aboard the Titan IIIC, a heavy-lift launch vehicle, Vela 5B demonstrates the deployment capabilities available in 1969 for putting twin payloads into orbit. The existence of twin satellites (Vela 5B and its partner) underscores the redundancy and reliability strategies employed in the Vela program. Its distinct identification numbers (SCN 03955 and COSPAR 1969-046E) ensure precise tracking and historical cataloging within global space data systems.

## Notable For
- Being part of the fifth specific launch batch within the Vela program.
- Its distinctive polyhedral shape and spin-stabilized attitude control system.
- Deployment via the Titan IIIC launch vehicle.
- Holding multiple official designations, including the military-style OPS 6911.
- Being a twin satellite, launched as one of two paired units.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Design
Vela 5B was an artificial satellite designed as a vehicle to fly in space. Structurally, it was a polyhedral spacecraft that utilized spin-stabilization to maintain its orientation in orbit. It was one of two satellites deployed during the fifth launch phase of the Vela program.

### Launch Details
The spacecraft was successfully launched on May 23, 1969. The launch was facilitated by a Titan IIIC vehicle, a model of the Titan III family, which acted as the delivery system into orbit.

### Identification and Aliases
In international and military catalogs, Vela 5B is registered under specific identifiers. It holds the COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID of "1969-046E" and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) "03955." 

The entity is referenced by several aliases across different organizations:
*   Vela 10 (TRW)
*   Vela 5B (USAF)
*   Vela5B
*   OPS 6911
*   VELA 10
*   Vela 6911

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report