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TheInjun program was a series of sixsatellites designed and built by researchers at theUniversity of Iowa to observe various radiation and magnetic phenomena in theionosphere and beyond.
The design specifics of the satellites had little in common, though all were solar-powered and the first five usedmagnetic stabilization to control spacecraft attitude. (The last in the series was spin-stabilized.) Instruments included particle detectors of varying types,magnetometers, andphotometers for observingauroras.[1] The last three satellites were launched as part of theExplorer program ofNASA.
In spite of various hardware difficulties and the loss of Injun 2 due to an upper stage failure, the program was generally successful. In particular, they produced data on theVan Allen radiation belts includingelectrical convection in the magnetosphere,[2] and the radiation after effects of theStarfish Primehigh-altitude nuclear test.[3]
| Name | Also known as | Launched | Vehicle | Ceased operation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injun 1 | 29 June 1961 | Thor-Able | 6 March 1963 |  | Failed to separate fromSolrad 3; still in orbit.[4] | |
| Injun 2 | 24 January 1962 | Thor-Able | Failed to orbit | | Upper stage produced insufficient thrust. | |
| Injun 3 | 12 December 1962 | Thor-Agena | 25 August 1968 |  | Deorbited on 25 August 1968. | |
| Injun 4 | IE-B,Explorer 25 | 21 November 1964 | Scout X-4 | December 1966 | _satellite.jpg) | Still in orbit.[5] |
| Injun 5 | IE-C, Explorer 40 | 8 August 1968 | Scout X-4 | June 1971 |  | Still in orbit.[6] |
| Injun 6 | IE-D, Hawkeye, Neutral Point Explorer,Explorer 52 | 3 June 1974 | Scout X-4 | 28 April 1978 |  | Main article:Explorer 52 |
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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