Explorer 17

Former NASA research satellite. Explorer 17 was launched on April 3, 1963 aboard a Thor Delta B from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Nov 24, 1966).

COSPAR 1963-009ANORAD 564United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Explorer 17
Payload designation: AE-A
Other names: NASA S-6
International designator: 1963-009A
NORAD catalog number: 564
GCAT identifier: S00564
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.037

Mission

Mission type: Space science
Use: Civil government
Program: Explorer AE
Owner: GSFC
Country: United States
Builder: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Platform (bus): S-6

Launch

Date: April 3, 1963 · 02:00 UTC
Launch record: 1963-009Success
Rocket: Thor Delta B
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC17A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LLEO/I
Perigee: 246 km
Apogee: 914 km
Inclination: 57.61°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: November 24, 1966
Last known active: Oct 7, 1963
End of operations: Oct 7, 1963

Size

Mass: 184 kg
Dry mass: 184 kg
Length: 0.9 m
Diameter: 0.90 m
Span: 1.8 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q49874 (CC0).