Ariel 2
 Ariel 2 before launch | |
| Mission type | Radio astronomy |
|---|---|
| Operator | SERC / NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1964-015A |
| SATCAT no. | 771 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Westinghouse Electric |
| Launch mass | 68 kilograms (150 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 27 March 1964, 17:25:23 UTC |
| Rocket | Scout X-3 |
| Launch site | Wallops Island LA-3 |
| Contractor | NASA |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | November 1964 |
| Decay date | 18 November 1967 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 289 kilometres (180 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1,343 kilometres (835 mi) |
| Inclination | 51.6 degrees |
| Period | 101.21 minutes |
| Epoch | 3 May 1964[1] |
Ariel 2, also known as UK-C, was a British radio astronomy satellite, which was operated by the Science and Engineering Research Council as part of the Ariel programme.[2] It was built in America by Westinghouse Electric,[3] and had a mass at launch of 68 kilograms (150 lb).[4][5] It was launched in 1964, and became the first satellite to be used for radio astronomy.
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The launch of Ariel 2 was conducted by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, using a Scout X-3 rocket. The launch occurred at 17:25:23 GMT on 27 March 1964, from Launch Area 3 at the Wallops Flight Facility.[6] Ariel 2 was placed into a low Earth orbit, with a perigee of 289 kilometres (180 mi), an apogee of 1,343 kilometres (835 mi), 51.6 degrees of inclination and an orbital period of 101.2 minutes as of 3 May 1964. It ceased operations in November 1964,[7] and subsequently decayed from orbit on 18 November 1967.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Ariel". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Design of a Spacecraft". Flight International. 21 January 1965. p. 115.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Ariel 1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "World Civil Satellites 1957-2006". Space Security Index. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Traditional Micro-satellites list: 1957-1969". Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
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