Quill (satellite)
Encyclopedia
Quill was an American
reconnaissance satellite programme of the 1960s, which employed radar
to produce images of the Earth's surface. Only one satellite, OPS 3762
, was launched, before the programme was cancelled. Two more spacecraft; a second flight vehicle and an engineering model, were produced. Quill satellites were the first radar imaging spacecraft to be produced, however they were not deployed operationally.
Quill satellites were based around the Lockheed
RM-81 Agena-D
, which also served as upper stages for orbital insertion. Boeing
, Goodyear
and the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
constructed the remainder of the payload. Each spacecraft was designed to operate for a few days after launch, before returning images in the same type of return vehicle used on KH-4
satellites. The main spacecraft would then remain in orbit as space debris
until it decayed a few weeks later. The spacecraft used side-looking airborne radar to produce images
On 21 December 1964, OPS 3762 was launched. It operated for four days, conducting tests of the radar imaging system over the United States. The mission was successful, and the images were recovered, however they proved to be of too low resolution to be useful and combined with concerns that transmitting radar signals into Soviet
territory may have been seen as provocative this led to the cancellation of the programme without any further flights.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reconnaissance satellite programme of the 1960s, which employed radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
to produce images of the Earth's surface. Only one satellite, OPS 3762
OPS 3762
OPS 3762, also known as FTV-2355, was an American reconnaissance satellite which was launched in 1964. It was the first radar imaging satellite to be launched, and the only Quill spacecraft to fly. Its mission was to demonstrate radar imaging techniques for future missions...
, was launched, before the programme was cancelled. Two more spacecraft; a second flight vehicle and an engineering model, were produced. Quill satellites were the first radar imaging spacecraft to be produced, however they were not deployed operationally.
Quill satellites were based around the Lockheed
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
RM-81 Agena-D
RM-81 Agena
The RM-81 Agena was an American rocket upper stage and satellite support bus which was developed by Lockheed initially for the canceled WS-117L reconnaissance satellite program...
, which also served as upper stages for orbital insertion. Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, Goodyear
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery....
and the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
-History:The Environmental Research Institute of Michigan began as Willow Run Laboratories in 1946, but was established as a private not for profit research institute when it formally separated from the University of Michigan in 1972. ERIM contributed to the development of remote sensing for...
constructed the remainder of the payload. Each spacecraft was designed to operate for a few days after launch, before returning images in the same type of return vehicle used on KH-4
Corona (satellite)
The Corona program was a series of American strategic reconnaissance satellites produced and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency Directorate of Science & Technology with substantial assistance from the U.S. Air Force...
satellites. The main spacecraft would then remain in orbit as space debris
Space debris
Space debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk, and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to erosion, explosion...
until it decayed a few weeks later. The spacecraft used side-looking airborne radar to produce images
On 21 December 1964, OPS 3762 was launched. It operated for four days, conducting tests of the radar imaging system over the United States. The mission was successful, and the images were recovered, however they proved to be of too low resolution to be useful and combined with concerns that transmitting radar signals into Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
territory may have been seen as provocative this led to the cancellation of the programme without any further flights.