The Program 206 satellite, carrying the KH-7 (Keyhole 7) camera system (codenamed Gambit-1), was the first successful high resolution space reconnaissance program. It was managed by NRO's Program A, the USAF-led segment of the National Reconnaissance Program managed from Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo, California.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitGemini 9A was the seventh crewed mission of the NASA's Project Gemini. The mission was commanded by Command Pilot Thomas P. Stafford and Pilot Eugene Cernan. The astronauts rendezvoused with the Augmented Docking Target Adapter, but were unable to dock due to docking target's fairing which failed to deploy. The mission started on June 3, 1966, 13:39:33 UTC and ended on June 6, 1966, 14:00:23 UTC.
Low Earth OrbitThe ATDA (Augmented Target Docking Adapter) had been prepared as a back-up target in case of an GATV (Gemini Agena Target Vehicle) failure. The ATDA was a short cylinder consisting of a target docking adapter cone mounted on front and containing a communications system, a guidance and control system, and a reaction control system. It also had running lights, but unlike the GATV, the ATDA had no propulsive capabilities for orbit changes.
Low Earth Orbit