NSSDCA ID: 1961-021A-02
Mission Name: Ranger 1A rubidium-vapor magnetometer, mounted in the center of a hollow spherical fiberglass shell 13 in. in diameter, was designed to measure the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field in interplanetary space and to detect occurances of temporal and spatial fluctuations. Bias coils were wound around the shell to send electric currents of known strengths during the measuring sequence. Proper sequencing of currents in the coils allows determination of both the strength and direction of the magnetic field in space. The instrument took measurements of fast field fluctuations of up to 30 gammas per sec in order to study the fine structure of the field. The sensitivity range of the experiment was from 0.05 to 105 gammas, with an accuracy of .05 gamma. The measurements were to be made of the geomagnetic field from a distance of approximately 6 Earth radii,
The experiment transmitted data for the lifetime of the spacecraft (10 days), but a low Earth orbit, rather than the intended deep space orbit, prevented accomplishment of the full mission objectives. Due to the low orbit, the spacecraft never got far enough away from Earth for the field strength to be less than 105 gammas, which was outside the range of the instrument, and no flight data were obtained.
Power (avg): 4.1 W
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. John D. Stolarik | Other Investigator | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Dr. Douglas E. Jones | Other Investigator | Brigham Young University | |
Mr. M. B. Gumpel | Other Investigator | NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | |
Dr. James P. Heppner | Principal Investigator | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |