Agena - 1959 to 1979
Abstract
A brief chronological synopsis of the Agena spacecraft is presented. The Agena liquid propellant upper stage was first ordered in 1956 for use in a satellite reconnaissance system boosted by the Atlas missile. Since the Thor Agena's first flight in 1959, it became the most widely used and most successful of all upper stages, playing a key role in the development of lunar landing techniques and interplanetary exploration. The Agena A model, designed for photo-reconnaissance, launched 19 satellites between 1959 and 1961, fifteen of which were Discoverer satellites. It was distinguished from its successors by the shortness of its main body. The Agena B used a Bell 8096 engine and propellant tanks, made integral with the vehicle body. It was used for Ranger lunar probes, with the last three successful. The early Agenas were built to satisfy specific mission requirements, and it was not until the D version that Agena became standardized. The Agena D was better suited for the Gemini project requirements, serving as an attractive rendezvous and docking target. Twelve Gemini missions are described, stressing Agena D's function in each.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the British Interplanetary Society
- Pub Date:
- July 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981JBIS...34..298W
- Keywords:
-
- Agena A Rocket Vehicle;
- Agena B Rocket Vehicle;
- Agena C Rocket Vehicle;
- Agena D Rocket Vehicle;
- Space Exploration;
- Discoverer Satellites;
- Gemini Project;
- Lunar Landing;
- Ranger Project;
- Upper Stage Rocket Engines;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles