Status
Success
Explorer 11 (S 15)
Launch Time
Thu Apr 27, 1961 14:16 UTC
Thu Apr 27, 1961 14:16 UTC
Rocket
Mission Details
Explorer 11 (S 15)
Explorer 11, also known as S 15, was launched for the purpose of detecting the sources of high-energy gamma rays. In addition to detecting gamma rays, Explorer 11 was designed to map their direction with an emphasis on the plane of the galaxy, the galactic center, the sun, and other known radio noise sources; to relate the measurements to the cosmic-ray flux density and the density of interstellar matter; and finally, to measure the high-energy gamma-ray albedo of the earth's atmosphere.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 37.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit
Location
LC-26B, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA
Stats
1961
16th orbital launch attempt
Juno II
9th mission
2nd mission of 1961
4th successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission