 OV1-16 satellite | |
| Mission type | Earth science |
|---|---|
| Operator | USAF |
| COSPAR ID | 1968-059B |
| SATCAT no. | S03319 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics |
| Launch mass | 272 kg (600 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 11 July 1968 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas F |
| Launch site | Vandenberg 576-A-2[1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Regime | Low Earth Orbit |
| Eccentricity | 0.02900 |
| Perigee altitude | 163 km (101 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 554 km (344 mi) |
| Inclination | 89.700° |
| Period | 91 minutes[2] |
| Epoch | 11 July 1968 19:26:00 UTC |
Orbiting Vehicle 1–16 (also known as OV1-16,[1] LOADS1 (Low Altitude Density Satellite 1), and Cannonball 1),[3] was launched 11 July 1968 via Atlas F side-by-side with OV1-15. Part of the OV1 series of USAF satellites, OV1-16 was a small, extremely dense sphere, able to withstand air drag much better than a conventional satellite. Along with OV1-15, it was the first satellite to return long-term information on the density and weather patterns of the Earth's upper atmosphere to better predict satellite orbits as well as the splash-down points of reentering satellites and spacecraft. The satellite reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 19 August 1968 after 39 days in orbit.