NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Explorer 48 (SAS-B)

Launch Time
Wed Nov 15, 1972 22:13 UTC

First flight of Scout D1 from San Marco.

Rocket

Scout D1
ASI
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 622 kN
Payload to LEO: 185 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 21.0 m

Mission Details

Explorer 48

SAS B (Small Astronomy Satellite B, also known as Explorer 48) was the second in the series of small spacecraft designed to extend astronomical studies in the X-ray, gamma-ray, ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions. The primary objective of the SAS-B was to measure the spatial and energy distribution of primary galactic and extragalactic gamma radiation with energies between 20 and 300 MeV. The instrumentation consisted principally of a guard scintillation detector, an upper and a lower spark chamber, and a charged particle telescope.

The telescope experiment was initially turned on 20 November 1972, and by November 27, 1972, the spacecraft became fully operational. The low-voltage power supply for the experiment failed on 8 June 1973. No useful scientific data were obtained after that date. With the exception of a slightly degraded star sensor, the spacecraft control section performed in an excellent manner.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 186.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

SM Launch Tab, San Marco Launch Platform, Kenya

Stats

1972

97th orbital launch attempt

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana

5th mission
1st mission of 1972
5th successful mission

Scout

63rd mission
3rd mission of 1972
50th successful mission
12th consecutive successful mission