S-45 (satellite)
 S-45 before launch | |
| Mission type | Ionospheric |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | Failed to orbit |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 33.6 kilograms (74 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 February 1961, 00:13:16 UTC |
| Rocket | Juno II AM-19F |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-26B |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Highly elliptical |
| Epoch | Planned |
S-45 was an American satellite, which was lost in a launch failure in 1961. The satellite was intended to operate in a highly elliptical orbit, from which it was to have provided data on the shape of the ionosphere,[1] and on the Earth's magnetic field.[2] It was part of the Explorer programme, and would have been designated Explorer 10 had it reached orbit. A second identical satellite, S-45A, also failed to achieve orbit when it was launched.[2]
S-45 was launched aboard a Juno II rocket, serial number AM-19F. The launch took place from Launch Complex 26B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 00:13:16 UTC on 25 February 1961.[3] The rocket malfunctioned after the second stage separated, and contact with the payload was lost.[4] The third and fourth stages subsequently failed to ignite, resulting in the satellite failing to achieve orbit.[5]
References
- ↑ "Explorer S45". NSSDC Master Catalog. NASA. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- 1 2 Wade, Mark. "P-14". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Explorer: S-45". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ↑ "Explorer Program". Mission and Spacecraft Library. NASA. Retrieved 14 July 2010.