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GEOS
GEOS-A
GEOS-A
Credit: NASA
American solar satellite. The GEOS spacecraft were gravity-gradient-stabilized, solar-cell powered satellites designed exclusively for geodetic studies. Research satellite operated by NASA, USA. Launched 1965 - 1968.

Status: Operational 1965. First Launch: 1965-11-06. Last Launch: 1975-04-09. Number: 3 . Gross mass: 341 kg (751 lb).

They were flown as part of the National Geodetic Satellite Program.

Instrumentation varied by mission, with the objectives of locating observation points (geodetic control stations) in a three dimensional earth center-of-mass coordinate system within 10 m of accuracy, to determine the structure of the Earth's gravity field to 5 parts in 10 million, of defining the structure of the earth's irregular gravitational field and refining the locations and magnitudes of the large gravity anomalies, and of comparing results of the various systems onboard the spacecraft to determine the most accurate and reliable system. Acquisition and recording of data were the responsibility of the GSFC Space Tracking and Data Acquisitions Network (STADAN). Ten major observing networks were used.

GEOS-A was a 175 kg, 1.32 m diameter, top-shaped satellite. It had an array of 5 geodetic systems: flashing light beacons, radio Doppler transmitters, a radio range system, a combined range and range rate system, and a laser reflector. Primary power for the instrumentation was obtained from solar cells that covered most of the exterior of the satellite.

The program was directed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Prime Contractor was The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.


More at: GEOS.

Subtopics

GEOS 3 Altimetry satellite built by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory for NASA, USA. Launched 1975.

Family: Astronomy, Medium earth orbit, Solar. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Thor, Delta, Thor Delta E, Thor Delta E1, Delta 1410, Delta 1000. Projects: Explorer. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral LC17A, Vandenberg SLC2E, Vandenberg SLC2W. Agency: NASA, APL. Bibliography: 2, 3750, 3751, 3752, 405, 6, 6521, 12489, 12490.
Photo Gallery

Explorer 29Explorer 29
Credit: Manufacturer Image


Geos 3Geos 3
Credit: Manufacturer Image



1965 November 6 - . 18:38 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta E.
1968 January 11 - . 16:16 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC2E. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta E1.
1975 April 9 - . 23:58 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC2W. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 1410.

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