launched fromUSA

KH-4B

Name: KH-4B
Start: 1971-02-17T20:04:00Z
Location: Vandenberg

Failure

FEB 17197120:04:00 UTC

Improper pre-flight procedure caused frozen lubricant to form a plug that resulted in complete turbopump failure 18 seconds after liftoff. The booster lost thrust and impacted the ground not far from the launch complex.

LIFTOFF

FEB 17 1971

20:04:00 UTC

Failure

launched fromSLC-3WVandenberg

aboardThor ad SLV-2H Agena-DThor 537intoLEO

Payload

KH-4B (S/N 1113)

Reconnaissance