Biosatellite 1
Biosatellite 1, also known as Biosat 1 and Biosatellite A, was the first mission in NASA's Biosatellite program. It was launched on December 14, 1966, by a Delta G rocket from Launch Complex 17A of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station into an orbit with a 296-kilometre (184 mi) perigee, 309-kilometre (192 mi) apogee, and 33.5 degrees of orbital inclination, with a period of 90.5 minutes.
Biosatellite 1 being prepared by scientists of the mission. | |
| Mission type | Bioscience |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA / ARC |
| COSPAR ID | 1966-114A |
| SATCAT no. | 2632 |
| Mission duration | 30 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | General Electric |
| Launch mass | 950 kg (2,090 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 14 December 1966, 19:20 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta G 471/D43 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-17A |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 15 February 1967 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.00105 |
| Perigee altitude | 295 kilometers (183 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 309 kilometers (192 mi) |
| Inclination | 33.5ยบ |
| Period | 90.5 minutes |
| Epoch | 14 December 1966 |
Biosatellite 1 was carrying several specimens for studying the effects of the space environment on biological processes. Prior to reentry, the entry capsule separated from the satellite bus properly, but the deorbit motor failed to ignite, leaving it stranded in a slowly decaying orbit. It re-entered and disintegrated on February 15, 1967.
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