Also called: S-56A
Launch data:
| Designation | 00081 / 1961 Delta1 / 61004A |
| Launch date | 16 Feb 1961 - 13:12 UT |
| Launch site | WI, LA3 MkI |
| Launch vehicle | Scout X-1 ( #4) |
| Mission | Scientific: high atmosphere study |
|
Perigee/Apogee
|
757/2433
km
|
|
Inclination
|
38.8°
|
|
Period
|
118
min
|
| Dry mass on-orbit | 36 kg |
Description:
Explorer 9 was the first in a series of 3.66 m inflatable spheres
to be successfully placed into orbit solely for the determination
of atmospheric densities. It was identical in its objectives and
configuration to the earlier unsuccessful launch of Explorer S-56.
The spacecraft consisted of alternating layers of aluminum foil
and Mylar polyester film. Uniformly distributed over the aluminum
surface were 5.1 cm-diameter dots of white paint for thermal control.
The sphere was packed in a tube 21.6 cm in diameter and 48.3 cm long
and mounted in the nose of the fourth stage of the launch vehicle.
Upon separation of the third and fourth stages, the ejection bellows,
a nitrogen gas bottle, inflated the sphere and a separation spring
ejected it out into its own orbit.
The two hemispheres of aluminum foil were separated with a gap of
Mylar at the spacecraft's equator and served as the antenna. A
136 MHz, 15 mW beacon was carried for tracking purposes, but the
beacon failed on the first orbit and the SAO Baker-Nunn camera network
had to be relied upon for tracking. Power was supplied by solar cells
and rechargable batteries.
Explorer 9 was the first spacecraft placed in orbit by an all-solid
rocket and the first spacecraft successfully launched from Wallops
Island.
End of life
|
Ref.: #1, #15, #27 - update: 12.07.04 |
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