Ariel
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American earth magnetosphere satellite. Ionospheric studies; returned X-ray, ionospheric, cosmic ray data. Science satellite built by Westinghouse Electric (Spacecraft), UK. Launched 1962 - 1964.
More at: Ariel.
Subtopics
- Ariel 3, 4 (UK 3, 4) Null
- Ariel 5 (UK 5) Null
- Ariel 6 (UK 6) Null
Related
- Family
- Earth, Magnetosphere sat, Technology
- Country
- USA
- Launch Vehicles
- Thor, Delta, Scout A, Scout, Thor Delta, Scout X-3, Scout B, Scout B-1, Scout D-1, Scout D
- Launch Sites
- Wallops Island, Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral LC17A, Wallops Island LA3, Vandenberg SLC5, San Marco, Wallops Island LA3A
- Agency
- NASA
Photo Gallery
Ariel 1
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Ariel 3
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Ariel 5
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Ariel 6
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Chronology
6 events
1962 April 26
18:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta.- Ariel 1 - . Payload: UK 1 (S-51). Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: NASA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1976-03-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 285 . COSPAR: 1962-Omicron-1. Apogee: 1,203 km (747 mi). Perigee: 398 km (247 mi). Inclination: 53.80 deg. Period: 100.80 min. Ionospheric studies; returned X-ray, ionospheric, cosmic ray data. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .
1964 March 27
17:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-3.- Ariel 2 - . Payload: UK 2 (UK-C). Mass: 68 kg (149 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: DSIR. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1967-11-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 771 . COSPAR: 1964-015A. Apogee: 1,349 km (838 mi). Perigee: 287 km (178 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 101.30 min. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .
1967 May 5
16:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout A.- Ariel 3 - . Payload: UK 3 (UK-E). Mass: 90 kg (198 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1970-12-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 2773 . COSPAR: 1967-042A. Apogee: 604 km (375 mi). Perigee: 499 km (310 mi). Inclination: 80.60 deg. Period: 95.60 min. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .
1971 December 11
20:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B-1.- Ariel 4 - . Payload: UK 4. Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1978-12-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 5675 . COSPAR: 1971-109A. Apogee: 592 km (367 mi). Perigee: 476 km (295 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 95.30 min. Ionospheric studies. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .
1974 October 15
07:47 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B-1.- Ariel 5 - . Payload: UK 5. Mass: 129 kg (284 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1980-03-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 7471 . COSPAR: 1974-077A. Apogee: 549 km (341 mi). Perigee: 504 km (313 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 94.90 min. X-ray observatory. Cosmic X-ray astronomy. Injection point: 2.7S, 58.2E. Anticipated life: 5 years. Time of launch: 07:47:00.25 GMT. Decay also (belatedly) noted in ST/SG/SER.E/216. .
1979 June 2
23:26 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3A. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout D-1.- Ariel 6 - . Payload: UK 6. Mass: 154 kg (339 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1990-09-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 11382 . COSPAR: 1979-047A. Apogee: 383 km (237 mi). Perigee: 372 km (231 mi). Inclination: 55.00 deg. Period: 92.10 min. Detection of heavy cosmic particles and X-ray astronomy. Launch time 2326 GMT. Also registered by the United States in ST/SG/SER.E/26, with parameters 97.2 min, 601 x 653 km x 55.0 deg, category A. .