Tuesday, October 28, 1980

Explorer 54

 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 
 

DateTimeEventOrbit  

1975 Oct 6  0900:00  Launch by Delta 2910 
  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 


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