Explorer S-45
Explorer S-45 satellite before launch
NamesExplorer S-45
NASA S-45
Mission typeIonospheric research
OperatorNASA
COSPAR IDEXS-451
Mission durationFailed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftExplorer S-45
Spacecraft typeScience Explorer
BusS-45
ManufacturerGoddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass33.6 kg (74 lb)
PowerSolar cells and batteries
Start of mission
Launch date25 February 1961,
00:13:16 GMT
RocketJuno II (AM-19F)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-26B
ContractorArmy Ballistic Missile Agency
End of mission
DestroyedFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeHighly elliptical orbit
Perigee altitude221 km (137 mi)
Apogee altitude181,100 km (112,500 mi)
Inclination33.0°
Period5013.90 minutes
Instruments
Beacon
Explorer program
 

Explorer S-45 was a NASA satellite, which was lost in a launch failure in February 1961. The satellite was intended to operate in a highly elliptical orbit, from which it was to have provided data on the shape of the ionosphere,[1] and on the Earth's magnetic field.[2] It was part of the Explorer program, and would have been designated Explorer 10 had it reached orbit. A second identical satellite, Explorer S-45A, also failed to achieve orbit when it was launched.[2]

Launch

Explorer S-45 was launched aboard a Juno II launch vehicle, serial number AM-19F. The launch took place from Launch Complex 26B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) at 00:13:16 GMT on 25 February 1961.[3] The launch vehicle malfunctioned after the second stage separated, and contact with the payload was lost.[4] The third stages subsequently failed to ignite, resulting in the satellite failing to achieve orbit.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Explorer S-45". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b Wade, Mark. "P-14". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (21 July 2021). "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  4. ^ "S-45 (Explorer (10), (12))". Gunter's Space Page. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Explorer Program". Mission and Spacecraft Library JPL. NASA / JPL. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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