 Explorer S-45 satellite before launch | |
| Names | Explorer S-45 NASA S-45 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Ionospheric research |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | EXS-451 |
| Mission duration | Failed to orbit |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer S-45 |
| Spacecraft type | Science Explorer |
| Bus | S-45 |
| Manufacturer | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Launch mass | 33.6 kg (74 lb) |
| Power | Solar cells and batteries |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 February 1961, 00:13:16 GMT |
| Rocket | Juno II (AM-19F) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, LC-26B |
| Contractor | Army Ballistic Missile Agency |
| End of mission | |
| Destroyed | Failed to orbit |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit (planned) |
| Regime | Highly elliptical orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 221 km (137 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 181,100 km (112,500 mi) |
| Inclination | 33.0° |
| Period | 5013.90 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Beacon | |
| Explorer program← Explorer 9Explorer 10 → | |
Explorer S-45 was a NASA satellite, which was lost in a launch failure in February 1961. The satellite was intended to operate in a highly elliptical orbit, from which it was to have provided data on the shape of the ionosphere, and on the Earth's magnetic field. It was part of the Explorer program, and would have been designated Explorer 10 had it reached orbit. A second identical satellite, Explorer S-45A, also failed to achieve orbit when it was launched.
Launch
Explorer S-45 was launched aboard a Juno II launch vehicle, serial number AM-19F. The launch took place from Launch Complex 26B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) at 00:13:16 GMT on 25 February 1961. The launch vehicle malfunctioned after the second stage separated, and contact with the payload was lost. The third stages subsequently failed to ignite, resulting in the satellite failing to achieve orbit.
See also
References
- "Explorer S-45". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "P-14". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- McDowell, Jonathan (21 July 2021). "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- "S-45 (Explorer (10), (12))". Gunter's Space Page. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- "Explorer Program". Mission and Spacecraft Library JPL. NASA / JPL. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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| ← 1960Orbital launches in 19611962 → | |
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| Payloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( | ). Crewed flights are indicated in underline. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in (brackets). |