Explorer 49
Explorer 49 (also called Radio Astronomy Explorer-2, RAE-B) was a NASA 328 kg (723 lb) satellite launched on 10 June 1973, for long wave radio astronomy research. It had four 230 m (750 ft) X-shaped antenna elements, which made it one of the largest spacecraft ever built.
Explorer 49 in orbit around of the Moon | |
| Names | RAE-B RAE-2 Radio Astronomy Explorer-2 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Radio astronomy |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1973-039A |
| SATCAT no. | 06686 |
| Mission duration | 4 years and 2 months (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer XLIX |
| Spacecraft type | Radio Astronomy Explorer |
| Bus | RAE |
| Manufacturer | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Launch mass | 330.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 92 cm (36 in) diameter and 79 cm (31 in) high |
| Power | 25 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 10 June 1973, 14:13:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Thor-Delta 1913 (Thor 581 / Delta 095) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, LC-17B |
| Contractor | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Entered service | 10 June 1973 |
| End of mission | |
| Destroyed | September 1977 |
| Last contact | August 1977 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Selenocentric orbit |
| Periselene altitude | 1,053 km (654 mi) |
| Aposelene altitude | 1,064 km (661 mi) |
| Inclination | 55.70° |
| Period | 221.17 minutes |
| Moon orbiter | |
| Orbital insertion | 15 June 1973, 07:21 UTC |
| Instruments | |
| Impedance Probe Rapid-Burst Receivers Step Frequency Radiometers | |
Explorer program | |
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