Also called:
UK-5
Memorandum or Understanding:
same as for Ariel 5
Date of launch (range):
Oct. 15, 1974 (San Marco)
Launch vehicle:
Scout
Shape:
cylindrical
Weight (kg):
130.3
Dimensions (m):
0.958, diam.
0.864, height
Power source:
solar array plus NiCd battery
Prime contractor:
British Aircraft Corp.
Date of reentry:
Mar. 14, 1980
NASA's role:
same as for Ariel 4
Responsible NASA center:
GSFC
Project manager:
H. L. Eaker
Project scientist:
Stephen S. Holt
Objectives:
To increase scientific knowledge of
galactic and extragalactic x-rays.
Experiments (responsible country or
organization):
.
measurements of source positions and
sky survey (Mullard Space Science Lab., University College,
London)
sky survey (Univ. of
Leicester)
study of the spectra of individual
sources, pointed (MSSL, Univ. College)
x-ray polarimeter/spectrometer (Univ.
of Leicester)
all-sky x-ray monitor (GSFC)
study of high-energy x-rays, pointed
(Imperial College)
Results:
Successful; during the first year the
scientists discovered many new transient x-ray sources; the
majority of the observations were devoted to the study of
steady x-ray sources; the switch to the San Marco launching
range, which is Italian owned and operated, enhanced the
scientific data return.
Reference: MOR S-870-74-05, Oct. 11, 1974 and Mar. 15, 1978.