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Rigidsphere (Gridsphere R, AVL-802)
Rigidsphere (front middle) [USAF]
The AVL-802 experiment contained Rigidsphere, a passive spherical satellite for atmospheric drag measurements.
Also included was an aluminized Mylar Balloon of the same size to compare the reflection properties and the drag of the Gridspheres with a real balloon.
The first attempt to orbit the AVL-802 experiment failed, but it was successfully repeated 3 years later.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Experimental |
| Operator: | US Air Force (USAF) STP (Space Test Program) |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | None |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: | 784 km × 916 km, 87.63° |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigidsphere (Gridsphere R, AVL-802 Rigidsphere, P68-1) | 1968-F07 | 16.08.1968 | Va SLC-3E | F | Atlas-SLV3 Burner-2 | with Orbiscal 1, OV5 8, Gridsphere 1, Gridsphere 2, Mylar Balloon, LCS 3, LIDOS, RM 18 & UVR, Radcat, SECOR 11, SECOR 12 |
| Rigidsphere (Gridsphere R, AVL-802 Rigidsphere, P70-2) | 1971-067P | 07.08.1971 | Va BMRS-A2 | Atlas-F OV1 [Star-13A] | with OV1 20, LOADS 2 and OV1 21, RTDS, Gridsphere 1, Gridsphere 2, Mylar Balloon, LCS 4 |
Further AVL-802 missions:
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Further STP missions:
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