&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Prospero_X-3_model_2012.JPG) Flight spare of the Prospero satellite in the Science Museum, London. | |
| Names | Puck |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology |
| Operator | RAE |
| COSPAR ID | 1971-093A |
| SATCAT no. | 5580 |
| Mission duration | 53 years and 10 days (in orbit) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | BAC Marconi |
| Launch mass | 66 kilograms (146 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 28 October 1971 04:09 GMT |
| Rocket | Black Arrow R3 |
| Launch site | Woomera LA-5B |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Deorbited |
| Decay date | 2070 (planned) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Semi-major axis | 7,295.54 kilometres (4,533.24 mi)[1] |
| Eccentricity | 0.053451[1] |
| Perigee altitude | 534 kilometres (332 mi)[1] |
| Apogee altitude | 1,314 kilometres (816 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 82.04 degrees[1] |
| Period | 103.36 minutes[1] |
| Epoch | 24 January 2015, 04:50:31 UTC[1] |
The Prospero satellite, also known as the X-3,[2] was launched by the United Kingdom in 1971. It was designed to undertake a series of experiments to study the effects of the space environment on communications satellites and remained operational until 1973, after which it was contacted annually for over 25 years.[3] Although Prospero was the first British satellite to have been launched successfully by a British rocket, Black Arrow, the first British satellite placed in orbit was Ariel 1, launched in April 1962 on a US rocket.
- ^ a b c d e f g "PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW) Satellite details 1971-093A NORAD 5580". N2YO. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Prospero (X-3)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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