Explorer 55

Former NASA research satellite. Explorer 55 was launched on November 20, 1975 aboard a Delta 2910 from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Jun 10, 1981).

COSPAR 1975-107ANORAD 8440United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: AE-E
Common name: Explorer 55
Other names: Explorer 55
International designator: 1975-107A
NORAD catalog number: 8440
GCAT identifier: S08440
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.338

Mission

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

Launch

Date: November 20, 1975 · 02:06 UTC
Launch record: 1975-107Success
Rocket: Delta 2910
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC17B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/E
Perigee: 142 km
Apogee: 2,819 km
Inclination: 19.68°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: June 10, 1981
Last known active: Jun 10, 1981
End of operations: Jun 10, 1981

Size

Mass: 720 kg
Dry mass: 552 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 Q49895 (CC0).