Explorer 24

Explorer 24
Explorer 24 satellite
NamesAD-B
Air Density experiment-B
Mission typeAir density
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1964-076A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.00931
Mission duration1426 days (achieved) [1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftExplorer XXIV
Spacecraft typeExplorer
BusAD
ManufacturerLangley Research Center
Launch mass8.6 kg (19 lb)
Dimensions3.6 m (12 ft) diameter
PowerSolar cells and
rechargeable batteries
Start of mission
Launch date21 November 1964, 17:09:39 GMT[2][3]
RocketScout X-4 (S-135R) [4]
Launch siteVandenberg, PALC-D
ContractorVought
Entered service21 November 1964
End of mission
Decay date18 October 1968
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[5]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude525 km (326 mi)
Apogee altitude2,498 km (1,552 mi)
Inclination81.40°
Period116.30 minutes
Instruments
Nonsystematic Changes of Air Density
Systematic Changes of Air Density
Explorer program

Explorer 24 (also called AD-B, Air Density experiment-B and S-56C) was a NASA satellite designed for atmospheric studies. Explorer 24 was launched on 21 November 1964 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California, with a Scout X-4. Explorer 24 was launched along with its successor satellite, Explorer 25.[6]

  1. ^ "Explorer 24 - 1964-076A" (in Czech). Lubor Lejček, Antonín Vítek. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Letter dated 5 February 1965 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America addressed to the Secretary-General" (PDF). COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE. UNOOSA. 30 November 1964. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  4. ^ Explorer. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Trajectory: Explorer-24 (S-55C) 1964-076A". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Dispaly: Explorer-24 (S-55C) 1964-076A". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.