1975-096A
Atmosphere Explorer D (Explorer 54) was launched on 1975 Oct 6 at 0901 by a Delta 2910 from Vandenberg. It entered a 126.9 min, 155 x 3816 km x 90.1 deg orbit after a single second stage burn. However, it operated until 1976 Jan 29 when its power supply failed, disabling the solar arrays. The satellite reentered on 1976 Mar 12.
Mass was 674 kg with 168 kg prop.
The MRMU released neon gas to simulate outgassing, and the returning gas was measured by NACE, PSA and PSB to study self-contamination.
| Explorer 54 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 Oct 6 | 0900:00 | Launch by Delta 2910 | V |
| T+0:38 SRM 1-6 out | |||
| T+0:39 SRM 7-9 on | |||
| T+1:17 SRM 7-9 out | |||
| T+1:27 SRM 1-9 sep | |||
| T+3:49 MECO | |||
| T+3:57 St 1 sep | |||
| T+4:03 SES-1 | |||
| 0904 | T+4:35 Fairing sep | ||
| 0909 | T+9:09 SECO-1 | ||
| Spinup T+12:05 | |||
| 0912 | St 2 sep T+12:30 | 126.9 155 x 3816 x 90.1 | |
| 1976 Jan 29 | end of ops | ||
| 1976 Mar 12 | Reentered | ||
