Prospero

UK

Spacecraft nº:

UK spacecraft nº: 7

Orig PL Name: X-3

Launch data:

Designation 05580 / 71093A
Launch date 28 Oct 1971 - 04:09:29 UT
Launch siteWo, LA5B
Launch vehicle Black Arrow (#4)
Mission Technology experimentation
Earth orbit:
Perigee/Apogee 531/1402 km
Inclination 82°
Period 104.4 min

Designed and operated by the RAE. Only satellite launched by a British rocket. Tested solar cells.

Specifications

Prime contractor  
Platform  
Mass at launch 86 kg
Mass in orbit  
Dimension 11 m diameter
Solar array  
Stabilization spin stabilized, 4 rpm
DC power  
Design lifetime  

Transmits on 137.56 MHz (was still heard in 2000)

Carried an onboard tape recorder which failed after 730 replays on 24 May 1973.

Ref: #7, #15 - update: 22.07.04