This Lockheed film “T+ Infinity” (1960?) documents the development and launch of the USAF’s Agena satellite, part of the Discoverer program, Beginning at Lockheed’s Sunnyvale facility, engineers built a production line under USAF direction, subjecting each satellite to rigorous electronic simulations and static firing tests. Larger and more powerful than earlier USA satellites, Agena was designed as a “space truck” capable of carrying varied payloads, including a groundbreaking, recoverable capsule. At Vandenberg AFB, the satellite was integrated with the reliable Thor booster, fueled with hypergolic propellants. After liftoff, the vehicle achieved a precise polar orbit. After 27 hours in orbit, the capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere and was successfully recovered in midair. Agena marked several historic firsts in space exploration, representing a significant advance in U.S. satellite capability and a major step toward humanity’s broader conquest of space.

0:00 The Agena satellite, boosted by an Thor rocket, is prepared at Launchpad 4, Vandenberg AFB.

0:34 This launch is part of a continuous USAF program developing a versatile family of advanced satellites for future space applications.

1:10 The effort began 25 months earlier at Lockheed’s Sunnyvale facility, where the USAF contracted development of the Discoverer system.

2:01 Planning produced a satellite production line under USAF direction, enabling consistent fabrication of reliable vehicles through precise inspection and assembly methods.

3:15 The Discoverer satellite is nearly 20 feet long, 5 feet in diameter, weighing close to a ton, and powered by a Bell Aircraft rocket engine. Earlier U.S. satellites were much smaller, under 100 pounds, except Project SCORE.

3:54 To qualify for spaceflight, Agena satellites undergo rigorous tests, including complete electronic simulations of orbital operations to verify flawless performance.

5:00 After simulations, vehicles are subjected to static firing tests in the Santa Cruz Mountains, producing 15,000 pounds of thrust before acceptance.

6:47 Accepted vehicles are shipped to Vandenberg AFB, where serial production allows payload versatility, turning Agena into a “space truck” capable of carrying diverse instruments.

7:42 A new capability is demonstrated: returning a capsule from orbit, pioneered in the Discoverer program using trained USAF recovery forces.

8:49 At launch, the satellite is carefully mated with the Thor booster, chosen for reliability, and payload capsules are added.

10:03 Fueling begins with hypergolic propellants—nitric acid and UDMH—which ignite on contact. Crews perform complex, precise countdown procedures.

13:31 In the blockhouse, technicians monitor final checks while tracking and acquisition stations worldwide prepare for launch.

15:48 Liftoff occurs successfully; trajectory is excellent, and radar tracks the vehicle smoothly.

16:02 Booster separation is verified, followed by Agena engine ignition, accelerating the vehicle to orbital speed.

16:41 After engine cutoff, gas jets orient the satellite for future capsule separation, while ground stations process tracking data into orbital plots.

17:39 Tracking stations at Kodiak, Alaska, and later Hawaii acquire the vehicle, confirming it is in orbit and enabling telemeter adjustments.

19:04 The vehicle remains in orbit for 27 hours before recovery begins. Hickham AFB coordinates with Navy and USAF for capsule retrieval.

20:36 On the 17th orbit, the capsule reenters, and aircraft recovery groups attempt mid-air capture.

21:35 Recovery is successful, proving that retrieving objects from orbit is feasible and practical.

21:52 The Agena vehicle achieves multiple firsts: precise polar orbiting, orbital maneuvering, carrying varied payloads, and high reliability.

22:48 The Discoverer program demonstrates that Agena is a major step toward future space programs and humanity’s progress in space exploration.

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