Explorer 47 (IMP-H)

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

01:20:00

Saturday September 23, 1972

Watch Replay

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Mission Details

Explorer 47 (IMP-H)

Wiki

IMP-H continued the study begun by earlier IMP spacecraft of the interplanetary and magnetotail regions from a nearly circular orbit, near 37 earth radii. This 16-sided drum-shaped spacecraft was 157 cm high and 135 cm in diameter. It was designed to measure energetic particles, plasma, and electric and magnetic fields. The spin axis was normal to the ecliptic plane, and the spin period was 1.3 s. The spacecraft was powered by solar cells and a chemical battery. Scientific data were telemetered at 1600 bps (with a secondary 400-bps rate available). The spacecraft was turned off on October 31, 1978.

High Earth Orbit

1 Payload

390 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Delta 1604

Active 1972 to 1973


Stages

3

Strap-ons

6

Launch Site

SLC-17B

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

20 days 2 hours

Stats

Delta 1000 Series


1st

Mission

1st

Mission of 1972

1972


78th

Orbital launch attempt