Energetic Particles Explorer

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Explorer-15 (EPE-C)
Launch of Explorer 14 (EPE-B) on a Delta-A rocket

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

  1. Explorer 12 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog , accessed August 1, 2014.
  2. Explorer 14 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog, accessed August 1, 2014.
  3. Explorer 15 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog, accessed August 1, 2014.
  4. Energetic Particles Explorer in the NSSDCA Master Catalog , accessed on August 1, 2014 (English).