NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1968-041A
ESRO 2 was a 75-kg spin-stabilized spacecraft that was launched on May 16, 1968, into a near polar orbit. The main objective of ESRO 2 was to conduct a study of solar astronomy and cosmic rays. The ESRO 2 experiments had their counterparts in the NASA-OSO series. The purpose of the spacecraft was to provide continuity to the solar radiation observations carried out by OSO D launched October 18, 1967. The particle experiments were designed to continue similar measurements carried out by the Ariel 1 (UK 1) satellite. The satellite had a spin rate of about 40 rpm and had completed 16,282 orbits of the earth before reentry on May 8, 1971, shortly after 0300 UT. No playback data has been available since December 10, 1968, following a mechanical failure of the onboard tape recorder. The failure reduced the data flow by about 80 percent, although a combination of Estrack (ESRO) and STADAAN (NASA) tracking stations were used.
Launch Date: 1968-05-17
Launch Vehicle: Scout
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 89.8 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. L. Henry Anderson | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Mr. James L. Michael | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Mr. Herbert L. Eaker | Project Manager | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Mr. Ants Kutzer | Project Manager | Ges fur Weltraumforschung | |
Mr. James P. Talentino | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Dr. D. Edgar Page | Project Scientist | ESA-European Space Research and Technology Centre | |
Mr. Roger D. Werking | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | rwerking@cscmail.csc.com |
Dr. Leslie H. Meredith | Project Scientist | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |