NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1961-027A
Discoverer 32 was a satellite of the USAF Space Systems Division. Its purposes were to obtain better orbital control of the Agena B spacecraft, to study the effectiveness of various metals in radiation shielding, to determine electron and ion density, and to study erosion. It had a beacon transmitter and a SECOR (SEquentail COllation of Range) experiment. The satellite was launched on October 13, 1961, into an orbit with an apogee of 405 km, a perigee of 232 km, a period of 90.85 min, and an inclination of 81.7 degrees. A 300 pound capsule was ejected after the satellite was in orbit for one day. It was recovered near Hawaii on October 14, 1961, in mid-air.
Launch Date: 1961-10-13
Launch Vehicle: Thor
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 1150 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office