SATELLITES & SPACE PROBES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z           HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Samos A series of American military spacecraft launched in the early 1960s to carry out global television surveillance from polar orbits. Samos (originally known as Sentry) satellites were one component of the first generation of United States Air Force orbital surveillance spacecraft, the other two components being MIDAS and Discoverer. The first satellites in the Samos series radioed back images from a frame readout camera as they passed over North America; later ones carried recoverable panoramic cameras. None of the satellites worked well, in contrast to the successful CIA-run Corona project, and Samos was quietly wound up without any significant achievements. Some reporters have incorrectly said that “Samos” was an acronym of Satellite and Missile Observation System. In fact, the name came from the link with MIDAS – Samos being the island upon which King Midas lived. Spacecraft Launch date Samos 1* Oct. 11, 1960 Samos 2 Jan. 31, 1961 Samos 3* Sep. 9, 1961 Samos 4 Nov. 22, 1961 Samos 5 Dec. 22, 1961 Samos 6 Mar. 7, 1962 Samos 7 Apr. 26, 1962 Samos 8 Jan. 17, 1962 Samos 9 Jul. 18, 1962 Samos 10 Aug. 5, 1962 Samos 11 Nov. 11, 1962 * failed Related categories    • MILITARY RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE    • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP