Small Astronomy Satellite 3

NASA space observatory. Small Astronomy Satellite 3 was launched on May 7, 1975 aboard a Scout F-1 from San Marco. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Apr 9, 1979).

COSPAR 1975-037ANORAD 7788United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: SAS 3
Common name: Small Astronomy Satellite 3
Payload designation: SAS C
Other names: Explorer 53
International designator: 1975-037A
NORAD catalog number: 7788
GCAT identifier: S07788
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.321

Mission

Mission type: Astronomy
Use: Civil government
Program: SAS
Owner: GSFC
Country: United States
Builder: JHU-Applied Physics Lab
Platform (bus): SAS

Launch

Date: May 7, 1975 · 22:45 UTC
Launch record: 1975-037Success
Rocket: Scout F-1
Spaceport: San Marco

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LLEO/E
Perigee: 502 km
Apogee: 509 km
Inclination: 3.00°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: April 9, 1979
Last known active: Apr 9, 1979
End of operations: Apr 9, 1979

Size

Mass: 189 kg
Dry mass: 189 kg
Length: 1.5 m
Diameter: 0.60 m
Span: 4.7 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q490351 (CC0).