Explorer 44 (Solrad 10) [NASA]
Solrad 10 or SE C or Explorer 44, a spin-stabilized satellite, was one of the Solrad series designed to provide continuous coverage of wavelength and intensity changes in solar radiation in the UV, soft, and hard X-ray regions. Solrad 10 also mapped the celestial sphere using a high-sensitivity X-ray detector.
The spacecraft was a 12-sided cylinder that measured 76 cm in diameter and 58 cm in height. Four symmetrically placed 17.8-by 53.3-cm solar cell panels, hinged at the central section of the structure, served as the elements of a turnstile antenna system. Eighteen solar sensors were mounted pointing parallel to the spin axis of the satellite, which pointed directly at the solar disk. The plane of rotation shifted about 1 deg/day so that a stellar detector mounted to point radially outward from the axis scanned the celestial sphere. Data from all detectors were stored in a 54-kbs core memory and telemetered on command to the NRL tracking station at Blossom Point, MD. Data were also transmitted in real time at 137.710 MHz.
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | Research |
Operator: | NASA, NRL |
Contractors: | Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) |
Equipment: | |
Configuration: | |
Propulsion: | ? |
Power: | 4 deployable fixed solar arrays, body mounted solar cells, batteries |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | 260 kg |
Orbit: | 436 km × 630 km, 51° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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Explorer 44 (SE C, Solrad 10, NRL-PL 165) | 1971-058A | 08.07.1971 | WI LA-3 | Scout-B |
Further SE missions:
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Further Solrad missions:
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