Explorer 49

Satellite launched by NASA for long range radio astronomy. Explorer 49 was launched on June 10, 1973 aboard a Delta 1913 from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Jun 11, 1973).

COSPAR 1973-039ANORAD 6686United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: RAE 2
Common name: Explorer 49
Payload designation: RAE B
Other names: Explorer 49
International designator: 1973-039A
NORAD catalog number: 6686
GCAT identifier: S06686
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.279

Mission

Mission type: Astronomy
Use: Civil government
Program: Explorer RAE
Owner: GSFC
Country: United States
Builder: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Platform (bus): RAE

Launch

Date: June 10, 1973 · 14:13 UTC
Launch record: 1973-039Success
Rocket: Delta 1913
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC17B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 182 km
Apogee: 390,244 km
Inclination: 29.10°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: June 11, 1973
Last known active: Apr 30, 1977
End of operations: Apr 30, 1977

Size

Mass: 200 kg
Dry mass: 200 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 331 kg
Length: 0.8 m
Diameter: 0.90 m
Span: 457.0 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00492
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: June 13, 1973
Phase outcome: Entered orbit around the target · June 15, 1973

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Jun 11, 1973	Earth	Jun 13, 1973	Escaped to another body	Luna
Jun 15, 1973	Luna	—	In orbit	—

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q1781732 (CC0).