| Vela 5A | |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Cospar Id: | 1969-046D[1] |
| Satcat: | 3954 |
| Manufacturer: | TRW |
| Launch Mass: | 259kg (571lb) |
| Power: | 120 W |
| Launch Date: | UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Titan III-C 15 |
| Launch Site: | Cape Canaveral LC-41 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Highly Elliptical |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 29122.4km (18,095.8miles) |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 193514.6km (120,244.4miles) |
| Orbit Inclination: | 42° |
| Orbit Semimajor: | 117689km (73,129miles) |
| Orbit Period: | 6696.8minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Programme: | Vela |
| Previous Mission: | Vela 4B |
| Next Mission: | Vela 5B |
Vela 5A (also known Vela 9 and OPS 6909[2]) 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.[3]