San Marco 2

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

10:06:00

Wednesday April 26, 1967

Mission Details

Launch Notes

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

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.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

129 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Scout B

Active 1965 to 1971

Vought logo

Manufacturer

Vought

Rocket

Height: 21m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 143 kg

GTO: 0 kg

Liftoff Thrust

622 Kilonewtons

Stages

4

Launch Site

SM Launch Tab

San Marco Launch Platform, Kenya

Fastest Turnaround

132 days 20 hours

Stats

Scout


40th

Mission

3rd

Mission of 1967

Vought


1st

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1967

1967


41st

Orbital launch attempt