Explorer 38
Explorer 38 satellite | |
| Names | RAE-A RAE-1 Radio Astronomy Explorer-1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Radio astronomy |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1968-055A |
| SATCAT no. | 03307 |
| Mission duration | 1 year (achieved) 56 years, 11 months and 16 days (in orbit) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer XXXVIII |
| Spacecraft type | Radio Astronomy Explorer |
| Bus | RAE |
| Manufacturer | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Launch mass | 602 kg (1,327 lb) |
| Power | 25 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 4 July 1968, 17:26:50 GMT |
| Rocket | Thor-Delta J (Thor 476 / Delta 057) |
| Launch site | Vandenberg, SLC-2E |
| Contractor | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Entered service | 4 July 1968 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Decommissioned |
| Last contact | 4 July 1969 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Medium Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 5,851 km (3,636 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 5,861 km (3,642 mi) |
| Inclination | 120.60° |
| Period | 224.40 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Capacitance Probe Impedance Probe Planar Electron Trap Radio Bursts Receivers Step Frequency Radiometers | |
Explorer 38 (also called as Radio Astronomy Explorer A, RAE-A and RAE-1) was the first NASA satellite to study Radio astronomy. Explorer 38 was launched as part of the Explorer program, being the first of the 2 RAE satellites. Explorer 38 was launched on 4 July 1968 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, with a Delta J launch vehicle.