UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Thor Agena A | Discoverer 5
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Aug 13, 1959 at 19:00 UTC
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MISSION OVERVIEW
Discoverer 5 was the fifth in a series of reconnaissance satellites, however, it failed to return its capsule when it was accidentally sent into a higher orbit.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Thor Agena AAGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
Discoverer 5
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 1WLAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: a87cf2ee-4169-4cdc-9fc4-8ff7ce8ebfea
Reported date: Aug 13, 1959 at 19:00 UTC
Last synced: 10 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 — 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 5 launch?
The Thor Agena A | Discoverer 5 is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 1959 at 7:00 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 5?
The Thor Agena A | Discoverer 5 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 5 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 1W at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is Discoverer 5 going to?
The Discoverer 5 mission is targeting Polar Orbit.
Who is launching Discoverer 5?
The Thor Agena A | Discoverer 5 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Thor Agena A | Discoverer 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: Aug 13, 1959 at 19:00 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: 10 minutes ago
●Launch Library 210 minutes ago
Launch ID: a87cf2ee-4169-4cdc-9fc4-8ff7ce8ebfea
●Open-Meteo Weather3 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.76, -120.63
Mission Profile
Discoverer 5 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 13, 1959. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Polar Orbit. The launch was a success.