NSSDCA ID: 1961-020A-01
Mission Name: Explorer 12An electrostatic analyzer with a current collector was used to investigate boundary phenomena between the geomagnetic field and the interplanetary plasma and to monitor low-energy proton fluxes at lower altitudes. The instrument detected protons in the energy range 100 eV to 20 keV. The voltage across the plates rose to full value in about one-half second and then decayed in 155 s, during which time the collector plate current was sampled 470 times. Particles were accepted over a 10- by 80-deg solid angle that swept out a nearly hemispherical region of space as the payload spun. Proton current measurement had a dynamic range of 10 to the fourth power. The experiment apparently malfunctioned before injection into orbit and returned no useful data.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
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Mr. Michel Bader | Principal Investigator | NASA Ames Research Center |