Explorer 17

USA

Also called AE-A (Atmosphere Explorer-A) and S-6

Launch data:

Designation00564 / 63009A
Launch date3 Apr 1963 - 02:00 UT
Launch siteCC, LC17A
Launch vehicleDelta-B (#357/D17)
MissionScientific: high atmosphere study
Perigee/Apogee254 / 891 km
Inclination57.6°
Period96.1 min
Dry mass on-orbit183,7 kg

Description

Explorer 17 was a spin-stabilized sphere 0.95 m in diameter. The spacecraft was vacuum sealed in order to prevent contamination of the local atmosphere. Explorer 17 carried four pressure gauges for the measurement of total neutral particle density, two mass spectrometers for the measurement of certain neutral particle concentrations, and two electrostatic probes for ion concentration and electron temperature measurements. Battery power failed on July 10, 1963. Three of the four pressure gauges and both electrostatic probes operated normally. One spectrometer malfunctioned, and the other operated intermittently.

End of life

Decay 24 Nov 1966
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