Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
16:12:00
Wednesday March 8, 1967
Watch Replay
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The objectives of the OSO satellite series were to perform solar physics experiments above the atmosphere during a complete solar cycle and to map the entire celestial sphere for direction and intensity of UV light and X-ray and gamma radiation. The OSO 3 platform consisted of a sail section, which pointed two experiments continuously toward the sun, and a wheel section, which spun about an axis perpendicular to the pointing direction of the sail and carried six experiments. Attitude adjustment was performed by gas jets.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
605 kilograms
Agency
US Air ForceRocket
Height: 31m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 410 kg
GTO: 82 kg
Liftoff Thrust
667 Kilonewtons
Stages
3
11th
Mission
1st
Mission of 1967
21st
Orbital launch attempt