Denise Milani Sea Port

For 50 Years (95 ): Samos-2

The second satellite E-1/101 Samos (Samos-2), unlike its predecessor, it reached space. But few are the news will on his mission. Imbued with the new environment introduced by Kennedy secrecy, the launch will be announced only 24 hours before they occur. Neither made previous press conferences or talk about who the contractors. Of course, its objectives are classified. Launching, January 31, 1961, occurs normally, but with two hours of delay due to technical problems (originally due to have started in December 1960). Once in space, the Olympus E-1 begins to work, getting images of the USSR and transmitting them to Earth by radio. However, their quality is very poor due to electronic noise transmission, and a resolution of only 100 to 150 feet. The vehicle also carries a load F-1 electronic intelligence listening signals, a cosmic ray detector, an atmospheric sensor detector micrometeorites. The system works for about a month, ending broadcasts in March. Inventory remaining in the third satellite E-1/101 assigned to the stage Agena-2103A, but will not be released. Thus, this mission will be the last to be used by vector Atlas-Agena-A. ( Photo: USAF )
-COSPAR Release Number: 1961-Alpha 1 SSC
-Number: 00070 Release
-Time: 20:21 UTC Release
-Zone: Point BOX-Arguello 1-1 (SLC-3W)-Name
Payload: Samos-2 (E-1) (PAHO 1051)-Mass
takeoff: 1,915 kg
-Responsible Organization: USAF (U.S.)
- Launcher: Atlas-Agena-70D-2102A (LV-3A)
-Initial Orbit: 474 by 557 km, inclination 97.4 degrees, 94.93 minutes period
-Reentry: October 21, 1973.