Vela 5A

{{short description|American reconnaissance satellite}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Vela 5A

| image = Vela 5A and 5B Separation.gif

| image_size = 150px

| image_caption = Post-launch separation of Vela 5A and 5B

| mission_type =

| operator = USAF

| website =

| COSPAR_ID = 1969-046D{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-046D|title=Vela 5A|last=NASA Goddard Space Flight Center|access-date=29 September 2019}} {{PD-notice}}

| SATCAT = 3954

| mission_duration =

| spacecraft_bus =

| manufacturer = TRW

| dry_mass =

| launch_mass = {{convert|259|kg|lb}}

| power = 120 W

| launch_date = {{start-date|May 23, 1969, 07:57:01|timezone=yes}} UTC

| launch_rocket = Titan III-C 15

| launch_site = Cape Canaveral LC-41

| launch_contractor =

| entered_service =

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| decay_date =

| orbit_epoch =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Highly Elliptical

| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|29,122.4|km|mi}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|193,514.6|km|mi}}

| orbit_inclination = 42°

| orbit_semimajor = {{convert|117,689|km|mi}}

| orbit_eccentricity =

| orbit_period = {{convert|6,696.8|minutes|hours}}

| apsis = gee

| programme = Vela

| previous_mission = Vela 4B

| next_mission = Vela 5B

}}

Vela 5A (also known Vela 9 and OPS 6909{{cite web|url=https://www.lib.cas.cz/space.40/1969/046D.HTM|title=1969-046D - Vela 9|work=Space 40|last=Antonín Vítek|language=cs|access-date=29 September 2019}}) was an American reconnaissance satellite to detect explosions and nuclear tests on land and in space. It was released together with Vela 5B, OV5 5, OV5 6 and OV5 9.{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/vela_adv.htm|title=Vela 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (advanced Vela)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=29 September 2019}}