Explorer 43

Explorer 43, also called as IMP-I and IMP 6, was a U.S. satellite launched as part of Explorers program. Explorer 43 was launched on March 13, 1971 from Cape Kennedy (restored to its old name of Cape Canaveral in 1974), with a Delta rocket. Explorer 43 was the sixth satellite of the Interplanetary Monitoring Platform.[4][1]

Explorer 43

Explorer 43 in space.
Mission type	Space physics
Operator	NASA
COSPAR ID	1971-019A[1]
SATCAT no.	5043[2]
Mission duration	3 ​^1⁄2 years
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	GSFC
Launch mass	635 kg (1,400 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	March 13, 1971, 16:15 UTC[3]
Rocket	Delta M6 562/D83[3]
Launch site	Cape Kennedy LC-17A[3]
End of mission
Decay date	October 2, 1974[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Highly Elliptical
Eccentricity	0.93678[1]
Perigee altitude	242 km (150 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude	196,574 km (122,145 mi)[1]
Inclination	28.7°[1]
Period	5,626.0 minutes[1]
Epoch	March 13, 1971[1]
Instruments
Instruments Measurement of Magnetic Fields Electrostatic Fields Measurement of Solar Plasma Low-Energy Protons and Electrons Medium-Energy Solar Protons and Electrons Solar Proton Monitoring Experiment Solar and Galactic Cosmic-Ray Studies Nuclear Composition of Cosmic and Solar Particle Radiations Study of Cosmic Ray, Solar, and Magnetospheric Electrons Measurement of Solar Plasma Interplanetary Long-Wavelength Radio Astronomy Experiment Radio Astronomy Electrostatic Waves and Radio Noise
Explorers

Spacecraft and mission

Explorer 43 continued the study, begun by earlier IMPs, of the interplanetary and outer magnetospheric regions by measuring energetic particles, plasma, and electric and magnetic fields. Its orbit took it to cislunar space during a period of decreasing solar activity.[5]

A radioastronomy experiment was also included in the spacecraft payload. The 16-sided spacecraft was 182.12 centimetres (71.70 in) high by 135.64 centimetres (53.40 in) in diameter. The spacecraft spin axis was normal to the ecliptic plane, and its spin rate was 5 rpm, with propulsion Star-17A. The initial apogee point lay near the earth-sun line. The solar-cell and chemical-battery powered spacecraft carried 2 transmitters. One continuously transmitted PCM encoder data at a 1,600 bps information bit rate.

The second transmitter was used for transmission of VLF data and for ranging information. Three orthogonal pairs of dipole antennas were used for the electric fields experiments, and one of these pairs was also used for the radioastronomy experiment. The members of the antenna pair along the spacecraft spin axis extended 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in), the members of the pair used in both the electric field and radio astronomy experiments extended 45.5 m (149 ft), and the members of the third pair were slightly unbalanced, extending 24.4 m × 27.6 m (80 ft × 91 ft), respectively. All four elements perpendicular to the spin axis were to have extended 45.5 m (149 ft).

The spacecraft reentered the earth's atmosphere October 2, 1974, after a highly successful mission.[1][4]

References

1. "IMP-I". NSSDC Master Catalog. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved June 19, 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. "EXPLORER 43 (IMP-6)". n2yo.com. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
4. Wade, Mark (2011). "IMP". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
5. "Explorer Spacecraft Series". History of NASA. NASA. Retrieved March 30, 2019.