Injun (satellite)
The Injun program was a series of six satellites designed and built by researchers at the University of Iowa to observe various radiation and magnetic phenomena in the ionosphere and beyond.
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The design specifics of the satellites had little in common, though all were solar-powered and the first five used magnetic stabilization to control spacecraft attitude. (The last in the series was spin-stabilized). Instruments included particle detectors of varying types, magnetometers, and photometers for observing auroras.[1] The last three satellites were launched as part of the Explorer program of the NASA.
In spite of various hardware difficulties and the loss of Injun 2 due to an upper stage failure, the program was generally successful. In particular they produced data on the Van Allen radiation belts including electrical convection in the magnetosphere[2] and the radiation after effects of the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test.[3]
Launch
Name | Also known as | Launched | Vehicle | Ceased operation | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Injun 1 | 29 June 1961 | Thor-Able | 6 March 1963 | Failed to separate from Solrad 3; still in orbit [4] | |
Injun 2 | 24 January 1962 | Thor-Able | Failed at launch | Upper stage produced insufficient thrust | |
Injun 3 | 12 December 1962 | Thor-Agena | 25 August 1968 | Deorbited on 25 August 1968 | |
Injun 4 | IE-B, Explorer 25 | 21 November 1964 | Scout X-4 | December 1966 | Still in orbit [5] |
Injun 5 | IE-C, Explorer 40 | 8 August 1968 | Scout X-4 | June 1971 | Still in orbit |
Injun 6 | IE-D, Hawkeye, Explorer 52, Neutral Point Explorer | 3 June 1974 | Scout X-4 | 28 April 1978 | Main article: Explorer 52 |
References
- Swift, Daniel W.; Gurnett, Donald A. (1973). "Direct comparison between satellite electric field measurements and the visual aurora". Journal of Geophysical Research. 78 (31): 7306–7313. Bibcode:1973JGR....78.7306S. doi:10.1029/JA078i031p07306. hdl:2060/19730016689.
- Gurnett, Donald. Dyer, E.R. (ed.). Electrical Fields and Plasma Observations in the Magnetosphere, in Critical Problems in Magnetospheric Physics (PDF). Washington, D.C.: American Geophyscial Union. pp. 123–138. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- Hess, Wilmot N. (September 1964). "The Effects of High Altitude Explosions" (PDF). NASA. NASA TN D-2402. Retrieved 7 October 2007. Cite journal requires
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(help)This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "Injun 1". NASA.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "Injun 4". NASA.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
External links
- "Injun 1". Gunter's Space Pages. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
- "Injun 2". Gunter's Space Pages. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
- "Injun 3". Gunter's Space Pages. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
- "Explorer: IE B / Injun 4". Gunter's Space Pages. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
- "Explorer: IE C / Injun 5". Gunter's Space Pages. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
- "Explorer: IE D / Injun 6 / Hawkeye / Neutral Point Explorer". Gunter's Space Pages. Retrieved 25 April 2008.