Status
Failure
Explorer (S-55)
Launch Time
Fri Jun 30, 1961 17:09 UTC
Fri Jun 30, 1961 17:09 UTC
Third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.
Rocket
Mission Details
Explorer S-55
S-55 was an American satellite launched by NASA on 30 June 1961 as part of the Explorers program. Explorer (S-55), also known as Meteoroid Sat A, was launched using a Scout_X-1 rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility. Its mission was to evaluate the launch vehicle, and investigate micro meteoroid impact and penetration. The mission failed because the third stage failed to ignite and the spacecraft did not achieve orbit.
Payloads: 1
Low Earth Orbit
Location
LA-3, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Stats
1961
21st orbital launch attempt
Scout
3rd mission
2nd mission of 1961
2nd failed mission