Explorer 18

Explorer 18
Explorer-18 (IMP-A) satellite
NamesIMP-A
IMP-1
Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-1
S-74
Mission typeSpace physics
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1963-046A
SATCAT no.00693
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftIMP
ManufacturerGoddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass138 kg (304 lb)
Power4 deployable solar arrays and batteries
Start of mission
Launch date27 November 1963,
02:30:01 GMT
RocketThor-Delta C
(Thor 387 / Delta 021)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-17B
ContractorDouglas Aircraft Company
Entered service27 November 1963
End of mission
Last contact10 May 1965
Decay date30 December 1965
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeHighly elliptical orbit
Perigee altitude4,395 km (2,731 mi)
Apogee altitude192,003 km (119,305 mi)
Inclination35.20°
Period5606 minutes
Instruments

Explorer 18, also called IMP-A, IMP-1, Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-1 and S-74, was a NASA satellite launched as part of the Explorer program. Explorer 18 was launched on 27 November 1963 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida, with a Thor-Delta C launch vehicle. Explorer 18 was the first satellite of the Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP). Explorer 21 (IMP-B) launched in October 1964 and Explorer 28 (IMP-C) launched in May 1965 also used the same general spacecraft design.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.