Rocketdyne provided the injector system, at the request of NASA, when Bell could not solve combustion instability problems.

[3] The Agena served as an upper stage for several defense, intelligence, and exploration programs: SAMOS-E, SAMOS-F (ELINT Ferret) and MIDAS (Missile Defense Alarm System) military early-warning satellites, Corona photo intelligence program, and the Ranger and Lunar Orbiter lunar probes.

The Lockheed Agena target vehicle using the Bell 8247 engine was qualified for 15 restarts for NASA's Project Gemini.

[7] The engine developed about 1,600 pounds-force (7.1 kN) of thrust, which produced a velocity of 3,200 meters per second from lunar launch, to LOR, and CM docking.

[8] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.