Biosatellite 1

Biosatellite 1
Biosatellite 1 being prepared by scientists of the mission.
Mission typeBioscience
OperatorNASA / ARC
COSPAR ID1966-114A
SATCAT no.2632[1]
Mission duration30 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerGeneral Electric
Launch mass950 kg (2,090 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date14 December 1966, 19:20 (1966-12-14UTC19:20Z) UTC
RocketDelta G 471/D43
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-17A
End of mission
Landing date15 February 1967 (1967-02-16)[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Eccentricity0.00105[1]
Perigee altitude295 kilometers (183 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude309 kilometers (192 mi)[1]
Inclination33.5º[1]
Period90.5 minutes[1]
Epoch14 December 1966[1]

Biosatellite 1, also known as Biosat 1 and Biosatellite A, was the first mission in NASA's Biosatellite program. It was launched on December 14, 1966, by a Delta G rocket from Launch Complex 17A of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station[3] into an orbit with a 296-kilometre (184 mi) perigee, 309-kilometre (192 mi) apogee, and 33.5 degrees of orbital inclination, with a period of 90.5 minutes.[4]

Model of Biosatellite 1 on display at the Tellus Science Museum

Biosatellite 1 was carrying several specimens for studying the effects of the space environment on biological processes. Prior to reentry, the entry capsule separated from the satellite bus properly, but the deorbit motor failed to ignite, leaving it stranded in a slowly decaying orbit. It re-entered and disintegrated on February 15, 1967.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Biosatellite 1". NSSDCA. NASA GSFC. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  2. ^ "BIOSAT 1". n2yo.com. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  3. ^ "Biosatellite". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Mark Wade. Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  4. ^ Krebs, Gunter D. "Biosat 1, 2, 3 (Bios 1, 2, 3)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved February 1, 2023.