MISSION NAME
Explorer 6 6
Status
Success
DATE
7 AUG 1959
LAUNCH PROVIDER
United States Air Force
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 17A
Description
Explorer 6 was an American satellite designed to study trapped radiation of various energies, galactic cosmic rays, geomagnetism, radio propagation and the flux of micrometeorites. It also tested a scanning device designed for photographing the Earth's cloud cover, and transmitted the first pictures of Earth from a satellite.
Thor Able III
Rocket Description
American orbital launch vehicle. Thor with Able stage derived from Vanguard second stage.