THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXPLORER X MAGNETOMETER SPACE PROBE

Abstract

The Explorer X was designed primarily to house scientific equipment and allied electronics for a rubidium vapor magnetometer experiment in interplanetary space. A plasma probe for investigating low energy positive particles constituted the secondary experimental equipment in the payload. Power for approximately 60 hours of flight was provided by 35 pounds of silver zinc batteries . The structure provided spin stabilization and was compatible with the low drag fairing of the Delta vehicle. Thermal control for the payload was maintained by a vaporized coating of aluminum on the exterior surfaces, coupled with a pattern of dull aluminum paint. All materials used in the structure were nonmagnetic; and the use of the lightest materials possible resulted in a total payload weight of 79 pounds.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0274020

Entities

People

  • E.d. Angulo
  • R.k. Browning

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Conditioning
  • Assembly
  • Detectors
  • Dynamic Loads
  • Electron Tubes
  • Electronic Components
  • Electronics
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Tests
  • Fiberglass
  • Low Drag
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetometers
  • Materials
  • Payload
  • Spin Stabilization
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster