Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU)
between NASA and European Space
Research Organization, Dec. 1966
Date of launch (range):
Nov. 21, 1972 (WTR)
Launch vehicle:
Scout
Shape:
cylindrical
Weight (kg):
130
Dimensions (m):
0.76, diam.
1.38, height
Power source:
solar cells plus battery
Prime contractor:
Hawker-Siddeley Dynamics, U.K.
Date of reentry:
Apr. 15, 1974
NASA's role:
launch vehicle (reimbursable)
Responsible NASA center:
LaRC
Project coordinator:
Joseph Talbot
Objectives:
To investigate and measure several
phenomena in the polar ionosphere.
Experiments (responsible country or
organization):
.
positive ions in ionosphere
(U.K.)
composition and total mass density of
natural gas in the upper thermosphere and exosphere
(Federal Rep. of Germany)
low-energy particle precipitation in
auroral zones (Sweden)
polar cap absorption
(Netherlands)
solar flare measurements and trapped
particles in lower radiation belt (Germany)
flight qualification of infrared
horizon sensor (Netherlands)
Results:
Successful.
Reference: MOR S-971-72-07, Nov. 13,1972; and NASA Hq. News Release 72-214, "NASA to Launch European Spacecraft," Nov. 17, 1972.