Discoverer 17 Satellite Launched

The Discoverer 17 satellite was launched into a north-south orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base. After traveling over a million miles and making 31 passes over the Earth's poles, a capsule was released over the Pacific Ocean. Despite a missed attempt, the capsule was successfully recovered, marking the most successful test in the Discoverer program. This mission was the first to restart a satellite's rocket engine in orbit, a significant advancement in space technology. The recovered capsule contained biological specimens, including human cells, providing crucial insights for future manned space missions. This achievement represents a major milestone in America's space exploration efforts.

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