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AE A (Explorer 17)

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: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center
Equipment:
Configuration:
Propulsion: ?
Power: Batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 185 kg
Orbit: 254 km × 891 km, 57.6°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Explorer 17 (AE A, S 6) 1963-009A 03.04.1963 CC LC-17B Delta-B

References:

  • NSSDC Master Catalog: AE-A

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