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Class: Earth. Type: Micrometeoroid. Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Micrometeoroid research.
Specification
S-55 Chronology
30 June 1961
Explorer (13) S 55 Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island . Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1. FAILURE: Third stage did not ignite, and the vehicle was destroyed. Mass: 84 kg. Micrometeorite counter satellite (S-55).
25 August 1961
Explorer 13 Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island . Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1. Mass: 86 kg. Perigee: 125 km. Apogee: 1,164 km. Inclination: 37.7 deg. Useless orbit; micrometeoroid research. Partial Failure.
16 December 1962
Explorer 16 Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island . Launch Vehicle: Scout X-3. Mass: 100 kg. Perigee: 744 km. Apogee: 1,159 km. Inclination: 52.0 deg. Micrometeoroid data. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).
06 November 1964
Explorer 23 Program: Explorer. Launch Site: Wallops Island . Launch Vehicle: Scout X-4. Mass: 134 kg. Perigee: 463 km. Apogee: 980 km. Inclination: 51.9 deg. Micrometeoroid data. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).
Bibliography:- 126 - Bramscher, Robert G, Spaceflight, "A Survey of Launch Vehicle Failures", 1980, Volume 22, page 351.
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Last update 12 March 2001.
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