1960 C-119J mid-air recovery of satellite capsule - photo and video

[Jon]

1960 C-119J makes world's first mid-air recovery of satellite capsule when it retrieves the Discoverer XIV capsule.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg




0:52 video:

More:

https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Vi...flying-boxcar/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corona_(satellite)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairch..._Flying_Boxcar

Previously:

Catching a satellite in orbit - GIF
NASA satellite launch fails caused by metals fraud - DOJ legal document

[mklotz]

The Discoverer program was in reality a cover for the CIA's Corona program...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corona_%28satellite%29

The Corona satellites took photographs of "denied access" areas in the former Soviet Union. The film was then included in drop cans that were to be snatched from the air by the recovery aircraft.

Many of these canisters were lost, thus endangering the secrecy of Corona. I imagine that the Agency was really delighted when the technology for transmitting pictures electronically was developed.