 UK-6 before launch | |
| Mission type | Astronomy |
|---|---|
| Operator |
|
| COSPAR ID | 1979-047A |
| SATCAT no. | 11382 |
| Mission duration | 2.5 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Marconi Company (UK) |
| Launch mass | 154.5 kilograms (341 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2 June 1979, 23:26:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Scout D-1 (SN S198C) |
| Launch site | Wallops Flight Center, LA-3A |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | February 1982 |
| Decay date | 23 September 1990 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.00328 |
| Perigee altitude | 605 kilometres (376 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 651 kilometres (405 mi) |
| Inclination | 55.0° |
| Period | 97.3 minutes |
| Epoch | 1 July 1979[1] |
Ariel VI, known pre-launch as UK-6, was a British and American satellite launched in 1979 as part of the Ariel programme. It was operated by the Science Research Council, which became the Science and Engineering Research Council in 1981. Ariel VI was used for astronomical research and provided data until February 1982. It was the last Ariel satellite to be launched.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
nssdclaunchwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Ariel VI Spacecraft Details". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. Retrieved 4 June 2010.