Explorer S-55 (satellite)

Explorer S-55

Explorer S-55 satellite
Names	Explorer S-55 NASA S-55
Mission type	Micrometeoroid research
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Explorer S-55
Spacecraft type	Science Explorer
Bus	S-55
Manufacturer	Goddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass	86 kg (190 lb)
Dimensions	1.93 × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder
Power	Solar cells and nickel-cadmium batteries
Start of mission
Launch date	30 June 1961, 17:09 GMT
Rocket	Scout X-1 (ST-5)
Launch site	Wallops Flight Facility, LA-3
Contractor	Vought
End of mission
Destroyed	Failed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit (planned)
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Instruments
Instruments Cadmium Sulfide Cell Micrometeorite Detector Copper Wire Micrometeroite Detector Pressurized Cell Micrometeorite Detector Impact Detection Grid Detectors
Explorer program ← Explorer S-45A Explorer 12 →

Explorer S-55 was an American satellite launched by NASA on 30 June 1961, as part of the Explorer program.^[1] Explorer S-55, was launched using a Scout X-1 launch vehicle from the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). Its mission was to evaluate the launch vehicle and investigate micrometeoroid impact and penetration. The mission failed because the third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.^[2]