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

 

Table 3-75. Orbiting Astronomical Observatory B Characteristics

 

Also called:

If successful would have been OAO 3.

Date of launch (range):

Nov. 30, 1970 (ETR)

Launch vehicle:

Atlas-Centaur

Shape:

octagonal cylinder with 2 solar panels

Weight (kg):

2106

Dimensions (m):

3.0, length

2.13, width; 6.4 with solar panels extended

Power source:

Solar arrays plus NiCd batteries

Prime contractor:

Grumman Aerospace Corp.

Reentry date:

N/A

Responsible NASA center:

GSFC

Project manager:

J. Purcell

Project scientist:

J. R. Kupperian, Jr.

Objectives:

To obtain medium-resolution spectrophotometric data.

Experiments (responsible organization):

Goddard Experiment package-38-inch telescope designed to gather moderate-resolution data (Goddard Space Flight Center)

Results:

Failure: protective nose cone failed to jettison and satellite did not achieve orbit.

 

Reference: NASA Hq., Press Release 70-174, "OAO-B," Oct. 29, 1970


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