Energetic Particles Explorer
Energetic Particles Explorer ( EPE , originally S-3 ) was a series of four science satellites in the Explorer program of NASA . They were used to study charged particles in the earth's magnetic field and in the solar wind .
In order to enable the investigation of the radiation belts , the satellites were brought into highly elliptical orbits by the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with delta rockets .
Explorer 15 specially served by the exploration of the starfish-Prime - Nuclear test resulting artificial radiation belt.
construction
The satellite structure had the shape of an octagonal prism, which ended on the underside with a conical adapter to the launch vehicle . Four solar cell booms arranged like a windmill were unfolded after take-off and served to supply the satellites with energy. A magnetometer was attached to a mast on top .
The EPE series satellites were spin stabilized .
The instrumentation consisted of the magnetometer and various protons - electrons - and plasma - detectors .
Missions
Explorer | Surname | date | Launch rocket | Starting place | apogee | perigee | Orbit inclination | Dimensions | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explorer 12 | EPE-A | August 16, 1961 | delta | Cape Canaveral AFS | 314 km | 77,310 km | 33.10 ° | 38 kg | Worked until December 6, 1961 |
Explorer 14 | EPE-B | October 2, 1961 | Delta-A | Cape Canaveral AFS | 281 km | 98,530 km | 32.95 ° | 40 kg | Worked until August 11, 1963 |
Explorer 15 | EPE-C | October 27, 1962 | Delta-A | Cape Canaveral AFS | 313 km | 17,640 km | 18.02 ° | 45 kg | |
Explorer 26 | EPE-D | December 21, 1964 | Delta-C | Cape Canaveral AFS | 316 km | 26,191 km | 20.14 ° | 46 kg | Worked until May 26, 1967 |
Web links
- EPE at Gunter's Space Page (English).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Explorer 12 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog , accessed August 1, 2014.
- ↑ Explorer 14 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog, accessed August 1, 2014.
- ↑ Explorer 15 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog, accessed August 1, 2014.
- ↑ Energetic Particles Explorer in the NSSDCA Master Catalog , accessed on August 1, 2014 (English).