Explorer 8

American research satellite. Explorer 8 was launched on November 3, 1960 aboard a Juno II from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Mar 28, 2012).

COSPAR 1960 XI 1NORAD 60United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Explorer 8
Payload designation: NASA S-30
International designator: 1960 XI 1
NORAD catalog number: 60
GCAT identifier: S00060
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.001

Mission

Mission type: Space science
Use: Civil government
Program: ExplorerG
Owner: GSFC
Country: United States
Builder: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Platform (bus): S-1

Launch

Date: November 3, 1960 · 05:23 UTC
Launch record: 1960 XISuccess
Rocket: Juno II
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC26B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/I
Perigee: 416 km
Apogee: 2,286 km
Inclination: 49.98°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: March 28, 2012
Last known active: Dec 27, 1960
End of operations: Dec 27, 1960

Size

Mass: 41 kg
Dry mass: 41 kg
Length: 0.9 m
Diameter: 0.90 m
Span: 6.1 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q935270 (CC0).