OV4 3 [GDK]
The OV4-3 (Orbiting Vehicle 4-3) payload consisted mainly of a Titan-1 oxidizer tank representing the shape and aerodynamics of the planned MOL (Manned Orbital Laboratoy). It was fixed to the Transtage, so its dimension ammounted to a lenght of 17.5 m. Also 680 kg of technology experiments, called project "Manifold", were added to the oxidizer tank:
The satellite was spin stabilized after Transtage shutdown. On the upper end, a Gemini B capsule was mounted during launch and released on a suborbital trajectory. Also inside the Gemini B adapter were three small satellites: OV1 6, OV4 1R and OV4 1T. OV4-3 worked for 30 days (75 days were planned).
Nation: | USA |
---|---|
Type / Application: | Experimental |
Operator: | US Air Force (USAF) |
Contractors: | Martin Marietta |
Equipment: | see above |
Configuration: | Titan-1 oxidizer tank fixed on Transtage |
Propulsion: | none after Transtage shutdown |
Power: | Batteries |
Lifetime: | 75 days (planned), 30 days operational |
Mass: | 9680 kg |
Orbit: | 298 km × 305 km, 32.82° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OV4 3 (MOL Mockup, OPS 0855) | 1966-099A | 03.11.1966 | CC LC-40 | Titan-3C | with OV1 6, OV4 1R, OV4 1T, Gemini B * |