Biosatellite 1

Biosatellite 1, also known as Biosat 1 and as Biosatellite A, was a first artificial satellite unmanned U.S. belonging to Biosatellite program for biological research. It was released on December 14, 1966 by a rocket Delta G from Launch Complex 17A of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[4] Biosatellite 1 was the first series Biosatellite satellites. It was released in an initial orbit of 296 kilometres (184 mi) perigee 309 kilometres (192 mi) apogee and 33.5 degrees of orbital inclination, with period 90.5 minutes.

Biosatellite 1

Biosatellite 1 being prepared by scientists of the mission.
Mission type	Bioscience
Operator	NASA / ARC
COSPAR ID	1966-114A
SATCAT no.	2632[1]
Mission duration	30 days
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	General Electric
Launch mass	950 kg (2,090 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	14 December 1966, 19:20 (1966-12-14UTC19:20Z) UTC
Rocket	Delta G 471/D43
Launch site	Cape Canaveral LC-17A
End of mission
Landing date	15 February 1967 (1967-02-16)[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Eccentricity	0.00105[3]
Perigee altitude	295 kilometers (183 mi)[3]
Apogee altitude	309 kilometers (192 mi)[3]
Inclination	33.5º[3]
Period	90.5 minutes[3]
Epoch	14 December 1966[3]

Biosatellite 1 was carrying several specimens for the study of the effects of the space environment on biological processes. The capsule was returning to land separated from the vehicle properly, but its rocket malfunctioned, leaving it stranded in a slowly decaying orbit. It re-entered and disintegrated on February 15, 1967.