Explorer 17 (AE A) [NASA]
Explorer 17 (AE A) [NASA] |
AE A (Aeronomy Explorer A) 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.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Atmospheric Research |
| Operator: | NASA |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 185 kg |
| Orbit: | 254 km x 891 km, 57.6° |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launcher | Remarks: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 17 (AE A, S 6) | 03.04.1963 | CC LC-17B | Delta-B |
| Further AE missions: |
Last update: 27.09.2009
Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs