Editing AS-104 (section)

==Launch==
This was the first nighttime launch in the Saturn I series. A built-in 35 minute hold was used to ensure that launch time coincided with the opening of the launch window.

AS-104 was launched from Cape Kennedy Launch Complex 37B at 2:35:01&nbsp;a.m. EST (07:35:01 GMT) on May 25, 1965.<ref>{{cite book|title=Saturn Illustrated Chronology - Part 6 January 1965 through December 1965|chapter=May 1965|url=https://history.nasa.gov/MHR-5/part-6.htm|publisher=NASA|access-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref> The launch was normal and the payload was inserted into orbit approximately 10.6 minutes after lift-off. The total mass placed in orbit, including the spacecraft, Pegasus B, adapter, instrument unit, and [[S-IV]] stage, was 34,113 pounds (15,473&nbsp;kg). The perigee and apogee were 314.0 and 464.1 miles (505 and 747&nbsp;km), respectively; the orbital inclination was 31.78'. The 1397&nbsp;kilogram (3080-pound) [[Pegasus 2]] satellite was also carried to orbit by SA-8, being stowed inside the boilerplate's service module, and remaining attached to the S-IV stage.

The actual trajectory was close to the one predicted, and the spacecraft was separated 806 seconds after lift-off. Several minor malfunctions occurred in the S-I stage propulsion system; however, all mission objectives were achieved.<ref>{{cite web|title=SA-8 operational trajectory|last1=Pack|first1=P. B.|last2=Solmon|first2=G.W. |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19650014195|date=May 17, 1965|access-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SA-8 flight test data report|last=Weichel|first=H. J.|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19650021587|date=August 2, 1965 |publisher=NASA|access-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref>

{{commons category}}