Explorer 2

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

18:27:57

Wednesday March 5, 1958

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Mission Details

The fourth stage failed to ignite.

Explorer 2 was equipped with a Geiger counter for the purpose of detecting cosmic rays.

Medium Earth Orbit

1 Payload

15 kilograms

Retired

Active in 1958

Agency

Rocket

Height: 21.2m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 11 kg

Liftoff Thrust

416 Kilonewtons

Stages

4

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

32 days 14 hours

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

32 days 14 hours

2nd

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1958

3rd

Orbital launch attempt