Dynamics Explorer 2

Dynamics Explorer 2
Dynamics Explorer 1 (Explorer 62) in the bottom and Dynamics Explorer 2 (Explorer 63) in the top
NamesExplorer 63
Dynamics Explorer-B
Mission typeSpace physics
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1981-070B Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.12625
Mission duration1 year (planned)
1.5 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftExplorer LXIII
Spacecraft typeDynamics Explorer
BusDE
ManufacturerGoddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass420 kg (930 lb)
Dimensions137 cm (54 in) in diameter and 115 cm (45 in) high
Power115 watts
Start of mission
Launch date3 August 1981, 09:56 UTC
RocketThor-Delta 3913
(Thor 642 / Delta 155)
Launch siteVandenberg, SLC-2W
ContractorDouglas Aircraft Company
Entered service3 August 1981
End of mission
Decay date19 February 1983
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude309 km (192 mi)
Apogee altitude1,012 km (629 mi)
Inclination89.99°
Period98.00 minutes
Instruments
Atmospheric Dynamics and Energetics Investigation
Fabry–Pérot interferometer (FPI)
Ion Drift Meter (IDM)
Langmuir Probe Instrument(LANG)
Low Altitude Plasma Instrument (LAPI)
Low Altitude Plasma Investigation High Angular Resolution
Magnetic Field Observations (MAG-B)
Magnetospheric Energy Coupling To The Atmosphere Investigation
Neutral Atmosphere Composition Spectrometer (NACS)
Neutral-Plasma Interactions Investigation
Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA)
Vector Electric Field Instrument (VEFI)
Wind and Temperature Spectrometer (WATS)

Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE-2 or Explorer 63) was a NASA low-altitude mission, launched on 3 August 1981. It consisted of two satellites, DE-1 and DE-2, whose purpose was to investigate the interactions between plasmas in the magnetosphere and those in the ionosphere. The two satellites were launched together into polar coplanar orbits, which allowed them to simultaneously observe the upper and lower parts of the atmosphere.[2]

  1. ^ "Trajectory: Explorer 62 (DE-1) 1981-070A". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Display: Explorer 63 (DE-2) 1981-070B". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.