1961-020
The S-003 payload, also known as EPE-A (Energetic Particles Explorer A), was launched on 1961 Aug 15 by Delta from Cape Canaveral into a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 77000 km. Interestingly, it was the first satellite to be launched into an orbit with a period close to the geosynchronous period of 24 hours. Explorer XII transmitted until 1961 Dec 6 and reentered on 1963 Sep 27.
Mass was 38 kg. Size was 0.48m high 0.66m dia with a 0.81m magnetometer boom.
The prelaunch plan was a first perigee at 14N 49W and apogee at 12S 99W.
| Explorer 12 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 Aug 16 | 0321:05 | Launch by Delta | CC LC17 |
| 0323:42 | T+2:37 Thor MECO | ||
| 0323 | Thor sep | ||
| 0323:44 | Delta 2016 SES, 1:51 | ||
| 0325:35 | T+4:30 Delta SECO | -2054 x 816 x 33.5 | |
| 0332? | S+0 Altair burn 43s | ||
| 0333 | S+0:43 Altair burnout | 314 x 77310 x 33.1 | |
| 0336 | First perigee | 294 x 77340 x 33.4 | |
| 0352? | S+19:58 yo weights deploy from S-3 | ||
| 0357? | S+25:00 Paddles deploy | ||
| 0357? | S+25:02 Altair sep | ||
| 1653 | First apogee | ||
| 1961 Aug 17 | 0610 | Second perigee | |
| 1927 | Second apogee | ||
| 1961 Aug 18 | 0840 | Third perigee | |
| 1961 Sep 20 | 1593.50 457 x 77170 x 33.4 | ||
| 1961 Dec 6 | End of tx | ||
| 1962 Jan 6 | 1594.62 693 x 76976 x 33.8 | ||
| 1963 Sep 27 | Reentered | ||
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