|
Class: Earth. Type: Micrometeoroid. Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Micrometeoroid research. Typical orbit: 444 x 1101 km, 47.2 deg inclinaton.
S-55 Chronology - 1961 June 30 - Explorer (13) S 55 - Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA3. Launch Vehicle: Scout. FAILURE: Third stage did not ignite, and the vehicle was destroyed. Mass: 84 kg (185 lb). Apogee: 172 km (106 mi).
Micrometeorite counter satellite (S-55).
- 1961 August 25 - Explorer 13 - Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA3. Launch Vehicle: Scout. FAILURE: Partial Failure. Mass: 86 kg (189 lb). Perigee: 125 km (77 mi). Apogee: 1,164 km (723 mi). Inclination: 37.70 deg. Period: 97.50 min.
Useless orbit; micrometeoroid research. Partial Failure.
- 1962 December 16 - Explorer 16 - Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA3. Launch Vehicle: Scout. Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Perigee: 744 km (462 mi). Apogee: 1,159 km (720 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 104.10 min.
Micrometeoroid data. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).
- 1964 November 6 - Explorer 23 - Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA3. Launch Vehicle: Scout. Mass: 134 kg (295 lb). Perigee: 463 km (287 mi). Apogee: 980 km (600 mi). Inclination: 51.90 deg. Period: 99.20 min.
Micrometeoroid data. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).
Bibliography:- McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
- JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Web Address when accessed: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.
- Bramscher, Robert G, Spaceflight, "A Survey of Launch Vehicle Failures", 1980, Volume 22, page 351.
- NASA Report, Explorer XVI Micrometeoroid Satellite , Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19630002763_1963002763.pdf.
- NASA Report, The Explorer XXIII Micrometeoroid Satellite- Description and Preliminary Results, November 6, 1964 - February 15, 1965, Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19650021541_1965021541.pdf.
- NASA Report, Thermal Design of Explorer XIII Micrometeoroid Satellite , Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19620001665_1962001665.pdf.
- NASA Report, Micrometeoroid Satellite /Explorer XVI/ Stainless-Steel Penetration Rate Experiment, Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19640017290_1964017290.pdf.
- NASA Report, Protecting Explorer XVI Solar Cells, Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19640003257_1964003257.pdf.
- NASA Report, Micrometeoroid Satellite Explorer XIII , Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19650002602_1965002602.pdf.
Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.
© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.
|
|