SNAP-10A
SNAP-10A (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power, aka Snapshot for Space Nuclear Auxiliary Power Shot, also known as OPS 4682) was a US experimental nuclear powered satellite launched into space in 1965 as part of the SNAPSHOT program. The test marked both the world's first operation of a nuclear reactor in orbit, and the first operation of an ion thruster system in orbit. It is the only fission reactor power system launched into space by the United States. The reactor stopped working after just 43 days due to a non-nuclear electrical component failure. The Systems Nuclear Auxiliary Power Program reactor was specifically developed for satellite use in the 1950s and early 1960s under the supervision of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Image of SNAP 10A Space Nuclear Power Plant | |
| Mission type | Engineering |
|---|---|
| Operator | USAF |
| COSPAR ID | 1965-027A |
| SATCAT no. | 01314 |
| Mission duration | 43 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Atomics International |
| Launch mass | 440 kg (970 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 April 1965, 21:25 |
| Rocket | Atlas-Agena D |
| Launch site | Vandenberg AFB, PALC2-4 |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | May 16, 1965 |
| Decay date | April 3, 5966 (planned) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.00319 |
| Perigee altitude | 1,268 km (788 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1,317 km (818 mi) |
| Inclination | 90.2° |
| Period | 111.4 minutes |
| Epoch | 3 April 1965 |
Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power | |
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.