Also called:
If successful would have been
Explorer 56 and 57.
Date of launch (range):
Dec. 6, 1975 (WTR)
Launch vehicle:
Scout
Shape:
DAD-A:
spherical (rigid)
DAD-B:
spherical (erectable)
Weight (kg):
DAD-A:
35.3
DAD-B:
35.8
Dimensions (m):
DAD-A:
0.76, diameter
DAD-B:
3.66, diameter
Power source:
solar cells plus NiCd battery,
DAD-A
Prime contractor:
in-house
Date of reentry:
N/A
Responsible NASA center:
LaRC
Project manager:
J. E. Canady, Jr.
Project scientist:
E. J. Prior
Objectives:
To determine the vertical structure
of the upper atmosphere and lower exosphere as a function of
latitude, season, and local solar time.
Experiments (responsible
organization):
.
Magnetic mass spectrometer with a
Mattauch-Herzog geometry (Univ. of Minnesota)
Results:
Unsuccessful due to launch vehicle
failure (3d and 4th stage malfunctions).
Reference: MOR S-863-75-05, Dec. 2, 1975.