NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

San Marco 2

Launch Time
Wed Apr 26, 1967 10:06 UTC

First flight of Scout from Kenya and from San Marco. First orbital flight of Kenya, and San Marco.

Rocket

Scout B
ASI
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 622 kN
Payload to LEO: 143 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 21.0 m

Mission Details

San Marco 2

San Marco 2 was a 66-cm-diameter spherical satellite with two experiments, one designed to make direct measurements of air density below 350 km, and the other an ionospheric beacon experiment developed to observe electron content between the earth and the satellite. The spherical shape of the spacecraft was important to the air density experiment in that it provided a constant satellite cross-section to the decelerating effects of the air. This simplified data interpretation and eliminated the need for satellite attitude control. A 5-m dipole antenna was extended along the spin axis only when the beacon experiment was turned on. Four 48-cm telemetry and command antennas extended symmetrically outward from the satellite equator.

The satellite had black and white longitudinal sections painted on its surface for thermal control. The satellite mission was to study density and its small-scale variations and to study equatorial electron density irregularities and ducted radio propagation above 200 km. The satellite was powered by four battery packs, and rough measures of satellite attitude were provided by four solar cell sensors. The satellite performed as expected until 5 August 1967. By August 14, power had decreased to the point where satellite command was no longer possible. Reentry occurred on 19 October 1967, during orbit 2680.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 129.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

SM Launch Tab, San Marco Launch Platform, Kenya

Stats

1967

41st orbital launch attempt

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana

1st mission
2nd mission of 1967
1st successful mission

Scout

40th mission
3rd mission of 1967
30th successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission