UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14
—
—
Aug 18, 1960 at 19:57 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
Initializing Launch Globe…
PADSpace Launch Complex 1W
SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret
MISSION OVERVIEW
Discoverer 14 was an American optical reconnaissance satellite. It was the first fully successful flight of the Discoverer series which returned film. The capsule was recovered mid air by an aircraft
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Thor Agena AAGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
Discoverer 14
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 1WLAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 365e8e27-7db7-48f5-8d7d-33a3ec978e81
Reported date: Aug 18, 1960 at 19:57 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
Loading weather…
CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
VEHICLE — Thor Agena A →
MANUFACTURER
McDonnell Douglas
VARIANT
Agena A
FLIGHTS
15
SUCCESSES
9
SUCCESS RATE
60%
Thor-Agena was a series of orbital launch vehicles. The rockets used Thor first stages and Agena second stages. They are thus cousins of the more-famous Thor-Deltas, which founded the Delta rocket family.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14 launch?
The Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14 is scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 1960 at 7:57 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 Discoverer 14?
The Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14 mission uses the Thor Agena A rocket, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The Thor Agena A has flown 15 times with a 60% success rate.
Where is the Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 1W at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is Discoverer 14 going to?
The Discoverer 14 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Discoverer 14?
The Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Thor Agena A | Discoverer 14 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: Aug 18, 1960 at 19:57 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: 2 minutes ago
●Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: 365e8e27-7db7-48f5-8d7d-33a3ec978e81
●Open-Meteo Weather3 days ago
Pad weather at 34.76, -120.63
Mission Profile
Discoverer 14 was a Thor Agena A mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on August 18, 1960. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch was a success.