Dragsphere 1, 2
Dragsphere [NRL]
The two Dragsphere satellites were small passive satellites to measure the effects of atmospheric drag. Both spheres had the same geometric dimensions, but had a different mass. Dragsphere 1 had a mass of only 0.9 kg, while Dragsphere 2 had a mass of 9.5 kg. They were launched piggy-back with Transit-O 1 into 1000 km orbit.
After 30 years, the orbit of the more massive Dragsphere 2 remained nearly unchanged, while the light Dragsphere 1 orbit was lowered by about 50 km.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Air density research |
| Operator: | Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) |
| Contractors: | Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | None |
| Lifetime: | Passive |
| Mass: | 0.9 kg (#1); 9.5 kg (#2) |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragsphere 1 | 06.10.1964 | Va 75-1-2 | Thor-DSV2A Able-Star | with Transit-O 1, Dragsphere 2 | |
| Dragsphere 2 | 06.10.1964 | Va 75-1-2 | Thor-DSV2A Able-Star | with Transit-O 1, Dragsphere 1 |
References:
- R. R. Zirm, R. E. Brsica, R. S. Rovinski: The Dual Calsphere Eperiment, NRL
- R. Bresica: Upper-Atmosphere-Density Determination Using NRL Artificial Satellites
- Jonathan McDowell: Naval Research Laboratory Satellites 1960-1989, 1995
Further NRL calibration missions:
