Explorer 58 (HCMM)

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

10:20:00

Wednesday April 26, 1978

Mission Details

Explorer 58 (HCMM)

Wiki

The Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) spacecraft was the first of a series of Applications Explorer Missions (AEM). The objective of the HCMM was to provide comprehensive, accurate, high-spatial-resolution thermal surveys of the surface of the earth. The HCMM spacecraft was made of two distinct modules: an instrument module, containing the heat capacity mapping radiometer and its supporting gear, and a base module, containing the data handling, power, communications, command, and attitude control subsystems required to support the instrument module. During February 21-23, 1980, the HCMM orbital altitude was lowered from 620 km to 540 km to stop the drift of the orbit plane to unfavorable sun angles which in turn reduced the power collection capability of the solar panels. The operations of the spacecraft were terminated on September 30, 1980.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

1 Payload

117 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Scout D1

Active 1972 to 1979

Vought logo

Manufacturer

Vought

Rocket

Height: 21m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 185 kg

GTO: 0 kg

Liftoff Thrust

622 Kilonewtons

Stages

4

Launch Site

SLC-5

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

11 days 17 hours

Stats

Scout


79th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1978

1978


42nd

Orbital launch attempt