Published June 04, 2015
The Discoverer/Corona satellite program was the first successful reconnaissance satellite program operated by the United States of America. The Discoverer program was operated by the U.S. Air Force and was described as a satellite technology development effort, but primarily served as cover for a secret reconnaissance satellite project (Corona) operated by the Central Intelligence Agency. Discoverer/Corona satellites made use of recoverable film canisters which were recovered in midair during a parachute descent by specially equipped U.S. Air Force C-119 recovery aircraft. This parachute fragment was autographed by all crewmen on board and is dated (handwritten) "June 1, 1962 16:15 Local." The mission was not successful since the aircraft was not able to catch the film capsule during its descent. The donor was the flight engineer on board that aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)