 Launch of Explorer 2 satellite | |
| Names | Explorer II |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Earth science |
| Operator | JPL / Army Ballistic Missile Agency |
| Mission duration | Failed to orbit 120 days (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer II |
| Spacecraft type | Science Explorer |
| Bus | Explorer 1 |
| Manufacturer | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| Launch mass | 14.22 kg (31.3 lb) |
| Dimensions | 203 cm (80 in) length 15.2 cm (6.0 in) diameter |
| Power | 60 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 5 March 1958, 18:27:57 GMT[1] |
| Rocket | Juno I (RS-26) |
| Launch site | Atlantic Missile Range, LC-26A |
| Contractor | Army Ballistic Missile Agency |
| End of mission | |
| Destroyed | Failed to orbit |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit (planned) [2] |
| Regime | Medium Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 358 km (222 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 2,550 km (1,580 mi) |
| Inclination | 32.24° |
| Period | 114.80 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Geiger counter Micrometeorite Detector Satellite Drag Atmospheric Density Resistance Thermometers Thermometers | |
Explorer program | |
Explorer 2 was an American unmanned space mission within the Explorer program. Intended to be a repetition of the previous Explorer 1 mission, which placed a satellite into medium Earth orbit, the spacecraft was unable to reach orbit due to a failure in the launch vehicle during launch.
Explorer 2 was launched from Cape Canaveral Missile Test Center of the Atlantic Missile Range (AMR), LC-26A in Florida on 5 March 1958 at 18:27:57 GMT by a Juno I launch vehicle.[3] The Juno I had its origins in the United States Army's Project Orbiter in 1954. The project was canceled in 1955 when the decision was made to proceed with Project Vanguard.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
JSR1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Trajectory: Explorer-1 1958-001A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Launch Vehicle Database - Redstone". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
