NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Explorer 51 (AE-C)

Launch Time
Sun Dec 16, 1973 06:18 UTC

Rocket

Delta 1900
Image Credit: USAF or NASA
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Payload to LEO: 1,800 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 9

Mission Details

Explorer 51 (AE-C)

The purpose of the AE-C mission was to investigate the thermosphere, with emphasis on the energy transfer and processes that govern its state. The study of photochemical processes accompanying the absorption of solar UV radiation in the earth's atmosphere was accomplished by making closely coordinated measurements of reacting constituents and the solar input.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 658.0 kg
Elliptical

Location

SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1973

108th orbital launch attempt

Delta 1000 Series

6th mission
4th mission of 1973
6th successful mission