Explorer 43

Explorer 43
	Explorer 43 satellite in space
Names	IMP-I; IMP-6; Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-6
Mission type	Space physics
Operator	NASA
COSPAR ID	1971-019A
SATCAT no.	05043
Mission duration	3.5 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Explorer XLIII
Spacecraft type	Interplanetary Monitoring Platform
Bus	IMP
Manufacturer	Goddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass	635 kg (1,400 lb)
Dimensions	135.64 cm (53.40 in) in diameter by 182.12 cm (71.70 in) high
Start of mission
Launch date	13 March 1971, 16:15:00 GMT
Rocket	Thor-Delta M6; (Thor 562 / Delta 083)
Launch site	Cape Canaveral, LC-17A
Contractor	Douglas Aircraft Company
Entered service	13 March 1971
End of mission
Decay date	2 October 1974
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Highly elliptical orbit
Perigee altitude	242 km (150 mi)
Apogee altitude	196,574 km (122,145 mi)
Inclination	28.70°
Period	5626.00 minutes
Instruments
Instruments
	Electrostatic Fields
	Electrostatic Waves and Radio Noise (Project)
	Electrostatic Waves and Radio Noise -- GSFC
	Electrostatic Waves and Radio Noise -- Iowa
	Electrostatic Waves and Radio Noise -- Minnesota
	Interplanetary Long Wavelength Radio Astronomy Experiment -- Time Resolution
	Interplanetary Long-Wavelength Radio Astronomy Experiment -- Flux Resolution
	Low-Energy Protons and Electrons
	Measurement of Magnetic Fields
	Measurement of Solar Plasma
	Measurement of Solar Plasma 2
	Medium-Energy Solar Protons and Electrons
	Nuclear Composition of Cosmic and Solar Particle Radiations
	Radio Astronomy (Project)
	Solar and Galactic Cosmic-Ray Studies
	Solar Proton Monitoring Experiment
	Study of Cosmic Ray, Solar, and Magnetospheric Electrons
	Explorers program Interplanetary Monitoring Platform

Explorer 43, also called IMP-I and IMP-6, was a NASA satellite launched as part of the Explorers program. Explorer 43 was launched on 13 March 1971 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) with a Thor-Delta M6 launch vehicle. Explorer 43 was the sixth satellite of the Interplanetary Monitoring Platform.