The top secret URSALA, RAQUEL, and FARRAH satellites from the 1970s to the 21st century
- Twenty HEXAGON satellites were launched from California between 1971 and 1986, with one failure.
- HEXAGON was a big photo-reconnaissance satellite, but often carried Program 989 subsatellites that were deployed in orbit.
- (credit: Peter Hunter) In 1963, the Air Force launched the first “hitchhiker” off the side of a larger satellite.
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- Twenty HEXAGON satellites were launched from California between 1971 and 1986, with one failure.
- HEXAGON was a big photo-reconnaissance satellite, but often carried Program 989 subsatellites that were deployed in orbit.
- (credit: Peter Hunter) In 1963, the Air Force launched the first “hitchhiker” off the side of a larger satellite.
Sources: Thespacereview