Explorer S-55 (satellite)

Explorer S-55 was an American satellite launched by NASA on 30 June 1961, as part of the Explorer program.[1] Explorer S-55, was launched using a Scout X-1 launch vehicle from the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). Its mission was to evaluate the launch vehicle, and investigate micrometeoroid impact and penetration. The mission failed because the third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.[2]

Explorer S-55
Explorer S-55 satellite
NamesExplorer S-55
NASA S-55
Mission typeMicrometeoroid research
OperatorNASA
Mission durationFailed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftExplorer S-55
Spacecraft typeScience Explorer
BusS-55
ManufacturerGoddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass86 kg (190 lb)
Dimensions1.93 × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder
PowerSolar cells and nickel-cadmium batteries
Start of mission
Launch date30 June 1961, 17:09 GMT
RocketScout X-1 (ST-5)
Launch siteWallops Flight Facility, LA-3
ContractorVought
End of mission
DestroyedFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Instruments
Explorer program
 

Mission

The objectives of the flight were to test vehicle performance and guidance and to investigate the nature and effects of micrometeoroids on the spacecraft systems. The scientific instrumentation consisted of cadmium sulfide-cell, wire-grid, piezoelectric, pressurized-cell, and foil-type micrometeoroid detectors.[2]

Spacecraft

The spacecraft was a 1.93 m × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder. Weighing 86 kg (190 lb), including its fourth stage and transition section, its objective was to test the performance of a Scout launch vehicle and its guidance system and to investigate the nature and effects of space flight on micrometeoroids. Its payload was a 1.93 × 0.61 m (6 ft 4 in × 2 ft 0 in) cylinder, almost covered by five types of micometeoroid impact detectors, two transmitters, solar cells and nickel-cadmium batteries.[2]

Launch

Explorer S-55 was launched on 30 June 1961, at 17:09 GMT, in using a Scout X-1 launch vehicle. The mission failed because the third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.[2]

See also

Explorer 13

References
  1. "S-55". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  2. "Display: Explorer S-55". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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