 Explorer S-55 satellite | |||||||||||||
| Names | Explorer S-55 NASA S-55 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission type | Micrometeoroid research | ||||||||||||
| Operator | NASA | ||||||||||||
| Mission duration | Failed to orbit | ||||||||||||
| Spacecraft properties | |||||||||||||
| Spacecraft | Explorer S-55 | ||||||||||||
| Spacecraft type | Science Explorer | ||||||||||||
| Bus | S-55 | ||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | Goddard Space Flight Center | ||||||||||||
| Launch mass | 86 kg (190 lb) | ||||||||||||
| Dimensions | 1.93 × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder | ||||||||||||
| Power | Solar cells andnickel-cadmium batteries | ||||||||||||
| Start of mission | |||||||||||||
| Launch date | 30 June 1961, 17:09GMT | ||||||||||||
| Rocket | Scout X-1 (ST-5) | ||||||||||||
| Launch site | Wallops Flight Facility,LA-3 | ||||||||||||
| Contractor | Vought | ||||||||||||
| End of mission | |||||||||||||
| Destroyed | Failed to orbit | ||||||||||||
| Orbital parameters | |||||||||||||
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit (planned) | ||||||||||||
| Regime | Low Earth orbit | ||||||||||||
| Instruments | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Explorer S-55 was an American satellite launched byNASA on 30 June 1961, as part of theExplorer program.[1] Explorer S-55, was launched using aScout X-1launch vehicle from theWallops Flight Facility (WFF). Its mission was to evaluate the launch vehicle and investigatemicrometeoroid impact and penetration. The mission failed because the third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.[2]
The objectives of the flight were to test vehicle performance and guidance and to investigate the nature and effects ofmicrometeoroids on the spacecraft systems. The scientific instrumentation consisted ofcadmium sulfide-cell, wire-grid,piezoelectric, pressurized-cell and foil-type micrometeoroid detectors.[2]
The spacecraft was a 1.93 m × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder. Weighing 86 kg (190 lb), including its fourth stage and transition section, its objective was to test the performance of a Scout launch vehicle and its guidance system and to investigate the nature and effects of space flight onmicrometeoroids. Its payload was a 1.93 × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder, almost covered by five types of micometeoroid impact detectors, two transmitters, solar cells andnickel-cadmium batteries.[2]
Explorer S-55 was launched on 30 June 1961, at 17:09GMT, in using a Scout X-1 launch vehicle. The mission failed because the third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.[2]
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