Discoverer/Corona Capsule Dimensions

[trigged]

I need help! I need the exact dimensions of the old Discoverer/Corona capsule. Does anyone know where I can get my hands on these since every website out there has alot of pretty pictures, but no dimensions such as heat shield length, diameter, radius of curvature of nose, etc. If anyone out there can help me please point me in the right direction.<br />Eldon

 

[trigged]

Will do. Are they on the web? I am assuming so.<br />Please keep the hints coming! Thank you!<br />Eldon

 

[trigged]

Well, I found the back issues of "Spaceflight" online, but it is only a synopsis of what was in the mag. Does anyone have access to/know where there might be blueprints of this thing? <br />Thanks<br />Eldon

 

[vogon13]

IIRC, the capsule was small enough to sit comfortably on President Eisenhower's desk. Should narrow it down some for you.<br /><br />Maybe some model builders have an old Revel one laying around that could be scaled.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[trigged]

Well, the only thing is that this was kinda hush-hush and classified until 1995 when alot of the details were released. I am not sure if there are alot of models built of this. I am also needing pretty exact dimensions, as in down to 0.1 inch.<br />Eldon

 

[vogon13]

Erf! You do have a challenge.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[trigged]

Well, yes I do... LOL I have sent some e-mails out to places that have these capsules in their back closets and asked if I could visit with a set of calipers, tape measure, and a little black notebook. Of course, I am still waiting for a response.<br />Eldon

 

[vogon13]

At some point, the Department of Homeland Security may become interested in what you're up to.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[trigged]

Well, that is fine. They can come check out my office if need be. I assure you, my intentions are purely for commercial application.

 

[vogon13]

<img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[trigged]

I tried to get info from the Smithsonian, but the website is down and has been for a couple of days. Anyone out there able to get in?<br />Eldon

 

[davf]

The Smithsonian Air & Space museum has a Corona capsule on display. You could certainly measure it to +- a cm there, I'm guessing. In fact, if you emailed them, perhaps they might even have that information for you.

 

[shyningnight]

I wish I had something helpful to add...<br />(Though I would second the motion to contact the Smithsonian).<br /><br />But I have to ask;<br />What do you need the dimensions for? I'm dying of curiousity!<br /><br />Paul F.

 

[ace5]

I have the spaceflight magazine collection 1994-2000, and there is a long report in one issu about corona.<br />It has dimensions and its history. Give me some time and I will find it for you.

 

[ace5]

I found it.<br />the no. 11 november 1998 - page 440-445 - of spaceflight magazine has a long article on Corona (KH-4A).<br />Unfortunately it has not the exact dimensions of the SRV Satellite Recovery Vehicle (that was the name of the reentry vehicles). <br /><br />But give me the diameter of the upper stage of the TAT Agena D launcher and I will be able to give you a fairly accurate estimation of the capsule´s dimensions, since there is a plan view of the vehicle there.<br /><br />In fact there were 2 SRVs in each TAT Agena D vehicle.<br /><br />And I suggest you to look for<br />"Eye in the sky: the history of the corona spy satellites", Dwayne A. day, Smithsonian Inst. Press, page. 74-77;<br />Robert Perry<br />"A history of Satellite reconaissance Vol. 1 - CORONA"<br />1-oct-73 National reconaissance Office, CORONA/ARGON/LANYARD, Files 2/A/0080, p. 148<br /><br />Kevin C. Ruffner, " CORONA: America´s first satellite program" CIA History Staff, Center for the Study of Intelligence, May 1995, p. 33<br />