Object Details
Manufacturer
NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center
Summary
This is a fully instrumented back-up for the Explorer 12 spacecraft. Explorer 12 was the first in a series of four satellites designed specifically to study the behavior of energetic particles near the Earth. They carried instruments to provide data on the solar wind, the interplanetary field, trapped radiation, and cosmic rays. The octagonal spacecraft carried six experiments contributed by the Goddard Space Flight Center, the NASA Ames Research Center, the University of New Hampshire, and Iowa State University. Power was supplied by four windmill-like solar panels. The satellite was placed into a highly elliptical orbit that ranged from 170 to 50,000 miles on December 6, 1961. It transmitted scientific data during its lifetime of 112 days. The satellite was manufactured at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center where the instruments were integrated and tested.
Alternate Name
Explorer 12 Satellite (Backup)
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19751505000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Communications
Materials
Mixed metals, electronics
Dimensions
Overall: 4 ft. tall x 1 ft. 9 in. wide, 38 lb. (121.92 x 53.34cm, 17.2kg)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Space Science
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19751505000