Solrad 10

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

22:58:00

Thursday July 8, 1971

Mission Details

Solrad 10

Wiki

Solrad 10 or SE C or Explorer 44, a spin-stabilized satellite, was one of the Solrad series designed to provide continuous coverage of wavelength and intensity changes in solar radiation in the UV, soft, and hard X-ray regions. Solrad 10 also mapped the celestial sphere using a high-sensitivity X-ray detector. The spacecraft was a 12-sided cylinder that measured 76 cm in diameter and 58 cm in height. Four symmetrically placed 17.8-by 53.3-cm solar cell panels, hinged at the central section of the structure, served as the elements of a turnstile antenna system. Eighteen solar sensors were mounted pointing parallel to the spin axis of the satellite, which pointed directly at the solar disk. The plane of rotation shifted about 1 deg/day so that a stellar detector mounted to point radially outward from the axis scanned the celestial sphere. Data from all detectors were stored in a 54-kbs core memory and telemetered on command to the NRL tracking station at Blossom Point, MD. Data were also transmitted in real time at 137.710 MHz.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

260 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

LA-3

Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

Fastest Turnaround

38 days 19 hours

Stats

Scout


57th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1971

1971


64th

Orbital launch attempt