Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
09:47:00
Wednesday August 21, 1996
FAST was designed to observe and measure the plasma physics of the auroral phenomena which occur around both of Earth's poles. While its Electric Field Experiment failed around 2002, all other instruments continued to operate normally until science operations were ended on May 1, 2009.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
191 kilograms
Agency
NorthropPrice
$40.00 million
Rocket
Height: 17.6m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 443 kg
Liftoff Thrust
561 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 1.15m
Height: 2.13m
Stages
4
13th
Mission
4th
Mission of 1996
53rd
Orbital launch attempt