Dynamics Explorer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:58, 16 March 2013

Revision as of 05:10, 4 May 2013

Line 1:

{{Infobox Spacecraft

{{Infobox_Spacecraft

|Name = Dynamics Explorer

|Image =<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:De spacecraftb.jpg|200px]] -->

Line 5:

|Organization = [[NASA]]

|Mission_Type = Atmospheric observation

|Satellite_Of = [[Earth]]

|Orbital_Insertion_Date = 9/3/81

|Launch_Vehicle = Delta 3000

|NSSDC_ID = 1981-070A

Line 14 ⟶ 12:

}}

'''Dynamics Explorer''' was a [[NASA]] mission, launched on August 3, 1981 and terminated on February 28, 1991. <ref>[http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/D/DE.html DE (Dynamics Explorer)]</ref> It consisted of two unmanned satellites, DE-1 and DE-2, whose purpose was to investigate the interractions between plasmas in the [[magnetosphere]] and those in the [[ionosphere]]. <ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1981-070A NSSDC Master Catalog]</ref> The two satellites were launched together into [[Geographical pole|polar]] [[coplanar]] orbits, which allowed them to simultaneously observe the upper and lower parts of the atmosphere.

==Design==

Both spacecraft had a polygonal shape, and were approximately 137 &nbsp;cm in diameter and 115 &nbsp;cm high. Each also had a 200-cm radio antenna and two 6-meter booms which were needed to distance some of the equipment from the main body of the spacecraft. They were stacked on top of each other and launched aboard a Delta 3000 booster rocket. Upon reaching orbit, the two spacecraft departed from the booster and entered separate orbits. Dynamics Explorer 1 was placed into a high altitude elliptical orbit, while DE-2 was put into a lower orbit that was also more circular.

===Dynamics Explorer 1 Instrumentation===

Line 27 ⟶ 25:

===Dynamics Explorer 2 Instrumentation===

The Dynamics Explorer 2 carried the following instruments for data collection:

*A [[Retarding Potential Analyzer]], which measured the ion flux along the velocity vector of the spacecraft. This data was then used to determine the ion temperature and drift velocity in the spacecraft's area. <ref>[http://utd500.utdallas.edu/~coley/de2_data.html Dynamics Explorer 2]</ref>

*An [[Ion drift meter]], which measured the ambient ion drift.

*A [[Magnetometer]]

Line 38 ⟶ 36:

==Mission Results==

As a result of a malfunction in the Delta 3000 booster rocket in which its main engine shut off slightly early, DE-2 was placed into a slightly lower orbit than was anticipated. This was not a serious problem, however, and the spacecraft had lasted its expected lifespan when it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on February 19, 1983. DE-1, being in a higher orbit, continued to collect data until 1991, when the mission was officially terminated.

==References==

<references/>