UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4

SUCCESS Atlas Agena D →
Dec 18, 1963 at 21:45 UTC
Sun-Synchronous Orbit Government/Top Secret Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA 100% success
Initializing Launch Globe…
Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 4W
SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA →
ORBITSun-Synchronous Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret

The Program 206 satellite, carrying the KH-7 (Keyhole 7) camera system (codenamed Gambit-1), was the first successful high resolution space reconnaissance program. It was managed by NRO’s Program A, the USAF-led segment of the National Reconnaissance Program managed from Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo, California.

MISSION
KH-7 4
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: abe6ddea-f970-4323-8400-8eb33f16cf5f
Reported date: Dec 18, 1963 at 21:45 UTC
Last synced: 7 seconds ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
Convair
VARIANT
Agena D
FLIGHTS
15
SUCCESSES
15
SUCCESS RATE
100%

The Atlas-Agena was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets, and was launched 109 times between 1960 and 1978.

When is the Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4 launch?
The Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, 1963 at 9:45 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 KH-7 4?
The Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4 mission uses the Atlas Agena D rocket, manufactured by Convair. The Atlas Agena D has flown 15 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 4W at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is KH-7 4 going to?
The KH-7 4 mission is targeting Sun-Synchronous Orbit.
Who is launching KH-7 4?
The Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Atlas Agena D | KH-7 4 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.
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: Dec 18, 1963 at 21:45 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
Last data sync: 7 seconds ago
Launch Library 27 seconds ago
Launch ID: abe6ddea-f970-4323-8400-8eb33f16cf5f
Open-Meteo Weather3 days ago
Pad weather at 34.63, -120.62

Mission Profile

KH-7 4 was a Atlas Agena D mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on December 18, 1963. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The launch was a success.