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Helios

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Helios 1 Credit: ESA

Status: Operational 1974. First Launch: 1974-12-10. Last Launch: 1976-01-15. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 373 kg (822 lb).

Exploration of the interplanetary space between the earth and the sun and study of solar influences on that area.

Helios LV American nuclear-powered orbital launch vehicle. 1959 study by Krafft Ehricke of a vehicle where the booster stage contains liquid oxygen tanks only and takes the nuclear second stage to the stratosphere. The nuclear sustainer then takes the payload to orbit or escape trajectory.

Helios A American nuclear-powered orbital launch vehicle.

Helios B American nuclear-powered orbital launch vehicle.

Helios C American nuclear-powered orbital launch vehicle.

Photo Gallery

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Helios 1 Credit: Manufacturer Image

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Helios Helios Launch Vehicle Credit: © Mark Wade

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• Helios 1 - . Mass: 370 kg (810 lb). Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Class: Astronomy. Type: Solar satellite. Spacecraft: Helios. USAF Sat Cat: 7567 . COSPAR: 1974-097A.

  A Titan IIIE/Centaur launched from Cape Canaveral boosted the United States-West German HELIOS spacecraft into heliocentric orbit as a solar probe to investigate the properties and processes of solar/terrestrial relationships. This was the first completely successful flight of the Titan IIIE/Centaur booster combination. Solar probe. Solar Orbit (Heliocentric). Launched by the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. Helios A (Helios I). Heliocentric orbit 190 days, 0.309 x 0.985 AU x 0 deg. Exploration of the interplanetary space between the earth and the sun and study of solar influences on that area.

• Helios 2 - . Mass: 376 kg (828 lb). Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Class: Astronomy. Type: Solar satellite. Spacecraft: Helios. USAF Sat Cat: 8582 . COSPAR: 1976-003A.

  A Titan HIE carrying a West German Helios payload was successfully launched from LC-41, Eastern Test Range. Solar probe. Solar Orbit (Heliocentric). Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

• Closest Ever Flyby of the Sun by Spacecraft (Helios 2) - . Nation: Germany. Spacecraft: Helios.

• Helios 1A - . Mass: 2,537 kg (5,593 lb). Nation: France. Agency: CNES, DGA. Program: Helios. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: SPOT-4. Spacecraft: Helios 1A-1B. USAF Sat Cat: 23605 . COSPAR: 1995-033A. Apogee: 682 km (423 mi). Perigee: 680 km (420 mi). Inclination: 98.10 deg. Period: 98.40 min.

• Helios 1B - . Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Nation: France. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: Toulouse. Program: Helios. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: SPOT-4. Spacecraft: Helios 1A-1B. USAF Sat Cat: 25977 . COSPAR: 1999-064A. Apogee: 682 km (423 mi). Perigee: 680 km (420 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.40 min.

  French optical military reconnaisance satellite based on Spot 4. Taken out of service in mid-October 2004, when the orbit of the satellite was lowered to 637 x 640 km, taking it out of the path of Helios 1A and the Helios 2A that would be launched in December 2004.

• Helios 2A - . Mass: 4,200 kg (9,200 lb). Nation: France. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Program: Helios. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: SPOT-5A-5B. Spacecraft: Helios 2. USAF Sat Cat: 28492 . COSPAR: 2004-049A. Apogee: 690 km (420 mi). Perigee: 688 km (427 mi). Inclination: 98.08 deg. Period: 98.39 min. First of two new-generation French military surveillance satellites. Last flight of Ariane 5G model. Launch delayed from December 10..

• Helios 2B - . Mass: 4,200 kg (9,200 lb). Nation: France. Agency: Arianespace. Program: Helios. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: SPOT-5A-5B. USAF Sat Cat: 36124 . COSPAR: 2009-073A. Apogee: 680 km (420 mi). Perigee: 680 km (420 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. French military surveillance satellite..