History of Satellites, Chronology
An overview of satellites from the 1950s to the early 21st century
Preface
The following information was derived from the works listed below.
Secret Spy Satellites by Timothy R. Gaffney.
America's Space Sentinels by Jeffrey T. Richelson.
Body of Secrets by James Bamford.
Secret Sentries In Space by Philip J. Klass.
Wizards of Langley by Jeffrey T. Richelson.
Scientific American, June 2004: "Nuclear Explosions in Orbit."
Wired Magazine, February 2006, page 129, article entitled "I Spy."
This document is divided into two sections. This section consists of a Chronology or historical time-line. It is meant
to be a quick-reference of historical information on satellites, the framework that supported them, related topics,
and the dates that events occurred. A Glossary is located on a different web page.
Through the end of 1965, the US military had launched 231 satellites. Of these, 132 (57.1 percent) carried classified
payloads.
Between February 1959 and May 1972, 145 Discoverer/Corona series spy satellites were launched. 120 of those missions
(83 percent) were successful.
Although I have attempted to gather and arrange the data into a comprehensive, understandable format, any
errors and omissions are mine and not attributable to any other authors or works.
Press a button for the desired year on the top line.