SP-4012 NASA HISTORICAL DATA BOOK: VOLUME III
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 1969-1978
 
 

Table 3-69. Explorer 55 Characteristics

 

Also called:

Atmospheric Explorer E

Date of launch (range):

Nov. 20, 1975 (ETR)

Launch vehicle:

Delta 2910

Shape:

polyhedron (16-sided)

Weight (kg):

675

Dimensions (m):

0.14, diameter

0.12, height

Power source:

solar cells plus NiCd battery

Prime contractor:

same as for Explorer 54

Date of reentry:

June 10, 1981

Responsible NASA center:

GSFC

Project director:

Grimes

Project scientist:

Spencer

Objectives:

To investigate the chemical processes and energy transfer mechanisms that control the structure and behavior of earth's atmosphere and ionosphere through the region of high solar energy absorption.

Experiments (responsible organization):

.

backscatter ultraviolet spectrometer

Results:

Successful; returned data for 5 V2 years.

 

Reference: MOR S-852-75-05, Nov. 13, 1975.


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