Polaris Intelligence
Polaris
Intelligence
About
Ctrl K
Sign in
© Polaris Intelligence 2026
PrivacyTermsAdmin

Discoverer 1

completedLaunch 1959 BET
Launched 2/28/1959LEOService GSat LEO A
Admin Edit
Payloads
Assets deployed on this mission, enriched from spacecraft records.
1 payload
Discoverer 1
retired
Technology Demonstration
LEO
Launch Details
Launch Date
2/28/1959
Launch ID
1959 BET
Launch Profile
Sat LEO A
Service Type
G
Orbit
LEO
Launch Stack
Operator
U.S. Air Force
Launch Vehicle
Thor Agena A
Launch Site
Complex 75-3, Pad 4, Vandenberg AFB (Vandenberg AFB, California)US
Payload Summary
Payload Count
1
Payload Status
retired 1
Payload Mission Types
Technology Demonstration 1
Track
Mentions
2
All verified mentions of this mission in source documents.

Discoverer 1 likely did not make it into orbit and fell to Earth over Antarctica.

GeneralValue 2.0Jun 17, 2024Things that almost go boom

The first military satellite launch attempt at Vandenberg Air Force Base took place on February 28, 1959, with the launch of Discoverer 1.

PlanGeneralValue 2.8Jun 17, 2024Things that almost go boom