Explorer 51

NASA satellite of the Explorer program. Explorer 51 was launched on December 16, 1973 aboard a Delta 1900 from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Dec 12, 1978).

COSPAR 1973-101ANORAD 6977United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: AE-C
Common name: Explorer 51
Other names: Explorer 51
International designator: 1973-101A
NORAD catalog number: 6977
GCAT identifier: S06977
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.291

Mission

Mission type: Earth science
Use: Civil government
Program: Explorer AE
Owner: GSFC
Country: United States
Builder: RCA Astro Electronics (Astro Space)
Platform (bus): AE-C

Launch

Date: December 16, 1973 · 06:18 UTC
Launch record: 1973-101Success
Rocket: Delta 1900
Spaceport: Vandenberg · pad SLC2W

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): MEO
Perigee: 152 km
Apogee: 4,074 km
Inclination: 68.07°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: December 12, 1978
Last known active: Dec 11, 1978
End of operations: Dec 11, 1978

Size

Mass: 668 kg
Dry mass: 500 kg
Length: 1.1 m
Diameter: 1.40 m
Span: 1.4 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q49893 (CC0).