Dynamics Explorer 1
Dynamics Explorer 1 (DE-1 or Explorer 62) was a NASA high-altitude mission, launched on 3 August 1981, and terminated on 28 February 1991. It consisted of two satellites, DE-1 and DE-2, whose purpose was to investigate the interactions between plasmas in the magnetosphere and those in the ionosphere. The two satellites were launched together into polar coplanar orbits, which allowed them to simultaneously observe the upper and lower parts of the atmosphere.
Dynamics Explorer 1 (Explorer 62) in the bottom and Dynamics Explorer 2 (Explorer 63) in the top | |
| Names | Explorer 62 DE-A Dynamics Explorer-A |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Space physics |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1981-070A |
| SATCAT no. | 12624 |
| Mission duration | 1 year (planned) 10 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer LXII |
| Spacecraft type | Dynamics Explorer |
| Bus | DE |
| Manufacturer | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Launch mass | 424 kg (935 lb) |
| Dimensions | 137 cm (54 in) in diameter and 115 cm (45 in) high |
| Power | 86 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 August 1981, 09:56 UTC |
| Rocket | Thor-Delta 3913 (Thor 642 / Delta 155) |
| Launch site | Vandenberg, SLC-2W |
| Contractor | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Entered service | 3 August 1981 |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | 28 February 1991 |
| Last contact | 28 February 1991 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Highly elliptical orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 567.60 km (352.69 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 23,289.00 km (14,471.11 mi) |
| Inclination | 89.90° |
| Period | 409.00 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Auroral Physics Theory Controlled and Naturally Occurring Wave Particle Interactions Theory Energetic Ion Composition Spectrometer (EICS) High Altitude Plasma Instrument (HAPI) Magnetic Field Observations Triaxial Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG-A) Plasma Waves Instrument (PWI) Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) Spin Scan Auroral Imager (SAI) | |
Explorer program | |
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