Template:Infobox spaceflight
The launch of Discoverer 21
Discoverer 21, also known as RM-2, was an American satellite which was launched in 1961. It was a technology demonstration spacecraft, based on an Agena-B.[1]
The launch of Discoverer 21 occurred at 22:58 UTC on 18 February 1961. A Thor DM-21 Agena-B rocket was used, flying from launch pad 75-3-5 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base.[2] Upon successfully reaching orbit, it was assigned the Harvard designation 1961 Zeta 1.
Discoverer 21 was operated in a low Earth orbit, with a perigee of 243 kilometres (Template:Convert/round mi), an apogee of 1,026 kilometres (Template:Convert/round mi), 80.7 degrees of inclination, and a period of 97.4 minutes.[3] The satellite had a mass of 1,110 kilograms (Template:Convert/round lb),[4] and was used to demonstrate an engine restart,[5] and to test infrared sensors for the Midas programme.[4] It remained in orbit until 20 April 1962,[3] when it decayed and reentered the atmosphere.
References[]
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "RM 1, 2 (Discoverer 19, 21)". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/rm-1.htm. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/log/satcat.txt. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wade, Mark. "Midas". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/craft/midas.htm. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ "Discoverer 21". NSSDC Master Catalog. NASA. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1961-006A. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
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