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

Table 3-87. Ariel 4 Characteristics

 

Also called:

UK-4

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

between NASA and U.K. Science Research Council, Feb. 14, 1969.

Date of launch (range):

Dec. 11, 1971 (WTR)

Launch vehicle:

Scout

Shape:

cylindrical with a conical top section

Weight (kg):

99

Dimensions (m):

0.76, diam. (3.35 with extendable booms)

0.91,length

Power source:

solar array plus NiCd battery

Prime contractor:

British Aircraft Corp.

Date of reentry:

Dec. 12, 1978

NASA's role:

launch vehicle, technical support, and tracking and data acquisition; participation in experiment program

Responsible NASA center:

GSFC

Project manager:

Herbert L. Eaker

Project scientist:

George F. Pieper

Objectives:

To investigate the interaction between electromagnetic waves, plasmas, and energetic particles in the upper ionosphere.

Experiments (responsible country or organization):

.

electron temperature and density (Univ. of Birmingham)

FIF noise (Jodrell Bank and Radio and Space Research Station)

ELF and VLF noise (Sheffield Univ.)

ELF and VLF impulse (Sheffield Univ.)

charged particle detector (Univ. of Iowa and GSFQ

Results:

Successful, suppling data through Mar. 1973; reactivated in late 1973 to supply data in support of a sounding rocket study of the Northern Lights conducted by Norway.

 

Reference: MOR S-870-71-04, Dec. 1, 1971.


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