Ariel VI

Ariel VI, known pre-launch as UK-6, was a British and American satellite launched in 1979 as part of the Ariel programme. It was operated by the Science Research Council, which became the Science and Engineering Research Council in 1981. Ariel VI was used for astronomical research and provided data until February 1982. It was the last Ariel satellite to be launched.

Ariel VI
UK-6 before launch
Mission typeAstronomy
Operator
  • Science Research Council (UK)
  • NASA (US)
COSPAR ID1979-047A
SATCAT no.11382
Mission duration2.5 years
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerMarconi Company (UK)
Launch mass154.5 kilograms (341 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date2 June 1979, 23:26:00 (1979-06-02UTC23:26Z) UTC
RocketScout D-1 (SN S198C)
Launch siteWallops Flight Center, LA-3A
End of mission
DeactivatedFebruary 1982 (1982-03)
Decay date23 September 1990
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Eccentricity0.00328
Perigee altitude605 kilometres (376 mi)
Apogee altitude651 kilometres (405 mi)
Inclination55.0°
Period97.3 minutes
Epoch1 July 1979
 
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