clip06.mpg

Perseverance paid off with the success of the 13th launch, publicly announced as Discoverer XIII, on August 12, 1960. This flight, designed to test the recovery vehicle, had no camera aboard. The vehicle was successfully launched, orbited and deorbited. The only hitch was with the capsule splash down - well away from the planned impact point. Fortunately, a recovery helicopter reached it in time before it sank. While less than perfect, it was another FIRST for mankind--the RECOVERY of a vehicle from space.