Explorer 8
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| Explorer 8 | |
| Organization | NASA |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| Mission type | Earth science |
| Satellite of | Earth |
| Launch date | November 3, 1960 at 05:16 UTC |
| Launch vehicle | Jupiter-C |
| Mission duration | 54 days |
| NSSDC ID | 1960-014A |
| Webpage | NASA NSSDC Master Catalog |
| Mass | 40.88 kg |
| Orbital elements | |
| Eccentricity | .120936 |
| Inclination | 33.24° |
| Orbital period | 112.7 minutes |
| Apoapsis | 2,288 km |
| Periapsis | 417 km |
Explorer 8 (1960-014A) is a U.S. research satellite launched on November 3, 1960. It confirmed the existence of a helium layer in the upper atmosphere.[1] Explorer 8 is still in Low Earth orbit. While no longer functional, in 2006 it unexpectedly received the world's attention as an example of the space junk that has been deployed with the lack of responsibility.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Explorers: Searching the Universe Forty Years Later. NASA Fact Sheets. Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA. Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
- ^ Global warming prolongs life of space debris (2006-12-13). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
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