launched from USA

Samos 3

Failure
SEP 09196119:28:00 UTC

Pad umbilical failed to detach properly at liftoff, cutting off electrical power to the Atlas. Vehicle fell back onto the pad and exploded.

launched from SLC-3W Vandenberg

aboard Atlas Agena B LV-3 106D into LEO

Payload

Samos 3

Optical reconnaissance