Heat Capacity Mapping Mission
HCMM satellite | |
| Names | Explorer 58 HCMM AEM-A Applications Explorer Mission-A |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Cartography |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1978-041A |
| SATCAT no. | 10818 |
| Mission duration | 2.4 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer LVIII |
| Spacecraft type | Heat Capacity Mapping Mission |
| Bus | Applications Explorer Mission |
| Manufacturer | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Launch mass | 117 kg (258 lb) |
| Power | Solar panels and batteries |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 April 1978, 10:20 UTC |
| Rocket | Scout D-1 (S-201C) |
| Launch site | Vandenberg, SLC-5 |
| Contractor | Vought |
| Entered service | 26 April 1978 |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | 30 September 1980 |
| Last contact | 30 September 1980 |
| Decay date | 22 December 1981 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 558 km (347 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 646 km (401 mi) |
| Inclination | 97.60° |
| Period | 96.70 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Heat Capacity Mapping Radiometer (HCMR) | |
The Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) spacecraft was the first of a series of Applications Explorer Mission (AEM) of the Explorer program.