UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Atlas Agena B | Midas 5
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Apr 9, 1962 at 15:04 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
Military Defense Alarm System satellite designed to detect ICBMs using 175 infrared detectors. This launch also carried a batch of West Ford needles.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Atlas Agena BAGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
Midas 5
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 3ELAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: f113636a-3c3e-4db0-b057-94449b9eb872
Reported date: Apr 9, 1962 at 15:04 UTC
Last synced: 4 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Atlas Agena B →
MANUFACTURER
United States Air Force
VARIANT
LV-3 Agena B
FLIGHTS
29
SUCCESSES
21
SUCCESS RATE
72.4%
The Atlas LV-3A was a largely unsuccessful configuration until it was given an Agena B upper stage. It was responsible for the launch of Mariner II to Venus and had one of the first engines that could be restarted in orbit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Atlas Agena B | Midas 5 launch?
The Atlas Agena B | Midas 5 is scheduled for Monday, April 9, 1962 at 3:04 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Midas 5?
The Atlas Agena B | Midas 5 mission uses the Atlas Agena B rocket, manufactured by United States Air Force. The Atlas Agena B has flown 29 times with a 72.4% success rate.
Where is the Atlas Agena B | Midas 5 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 3E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is Midas 5 going to?
The Midas 5 mission is targeting Polar Orbit.
Who is launching Midas 5?
The Atlas Agena B | Midas 5 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Atlas Agena B | Midas 5 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 9, 1962 at 15:04 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 4 minutes ago
●Launch Library 24 minutes ago
Launch ID: f113636a-3c3e-4db0-b057-94449b9eb872
●Open-Meteo Weather5 days ago
Pad weather at 34.64, -120.59
Mission Profile
Midas 5 was a Atlas Agena B LV-3 Agena B mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on April 9, 1962. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Polar Orbit. The launch was a success.