NSSDCA ID: P21
This spacecraft was in the shape of a frustrum of an octagonal right pyramid. The maximum octagonal chord was about 52.5 cm, and frustrum altitude was 965 cm. Two dipole (73 MHz and 12 MHz antennas extended at right angles to each other and to the pyramid axis, from near the top of the frustrum. The vehicle was permanently affixed to the 4th stage of the launch vehicle. The spacecraft was battery powered to provide operation during the entire 1-1/2 hr flight, which reached 6800 km apogee and returned. The flight path was southeast across the Atlantic ocean. This spacecraft launch was a piggy pack on the 7th Scout test vehicle (ST-7) so the primary mission was vehicle text, and the subordinate scientific mission was determination of electron density as a function of height. The spacecraft was spin stabilized at about 1 rps. This flight was planned as a probe and flew for about 90 min, yet no spacecraft number was assigned by COSPAR. For this reason, addition information can be found in the Rocket file listing under ID R6110-1901.
Launch Date: 1961-10-19
Launch Vehicle: Scout
Launch Site: Wallops Island, United States
Mass: 31.1 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
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