![]() Launch of Explorer 2 satellite | |
Names | Explorer II |
---|---|
Mission type | Earth science |
Operator | JPL / Army Ballistic Missile Agency |
Mission duration | Failed to orbit 120 days (planned) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Explorer II |
Spacecraft type | Science Explorer |
Bus | Explorer 1 |
Manufacturer | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
Launch mass | 14.22 kg (31.3 lb) |
Dimensions | 203 cm (80 in) length 15.2 cm (6.0 in) diameter |
Power | 60 watts |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 5 March 1958, 18:27:57 GMT[1] |
Rocket | Juno I (RS-26) |
Launch site | Atlantic Missile Range, LC-26A |
Contractor | Army Ballistic Missile Agency |
End of mission | |
Destroyed | Failed to orbit |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit (planned) [2] |
Regime | Medium Earth orbit |
Perigee altitude | 358 km (222 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 2,550 km (1,580 mi) |
Inclination | 32.24° |
Period | 114.80 minutes |
Instruments | |
Geiger counter Micrometeorite Detector Satellite Drag Atmospheric Density Resistance Thermometers Thermometers | |
Explorer program |
Explorer 2 was an American unmanned space mission within the Explorer program. Intended to be a repetition of the previous Explorer 1 mission, which placed a satellite into medium Earth orbit, the spacecraft was unable to reach orbit due to a failure in the launch vehicle during launch.
Explorer 2 was launched from Cape Canaveral Missile Test Center of the Atlantic Missile Range (AMR), LC-26A in Florida on 5 March 1958 at 18:27:57 GMT by a Juno I launch vehicle.[3] The Juno I had its origins in the United States Army's Project Orbiter in 1954. The project was canceled in 1955 when the decision was made to proceed with Project Vanguard.
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