Explorer 64 (SME) & UoSAT-1

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

11:27:00

Tuesday October 6, 1981

Watch Replay

24/7 Coverage

Mission Details

Explorer 64 (SME)

Wiki

The Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) mission objective was primarily to investigate the processes that create and destroy ozone in the Earth's mesosphere and upper stratosphere. Some specific goals were to: determine the nature and magnitude of changes in mesospheric ozone densities resulting from changes in the solar ultraviolet flux; determine the interrelationship between solar flux, ozone, and the temperature of the upper stratosphere and mesosphere; determine the interrelationship between ozone and water vapor; and determine the interrelationship between nitrogen dioxide and ozone. All instruments on-board the SME were turned off in December 1988 because of energy considerations.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

1 Payload

145 kilograms

UoSAT-1 (Oscar-9)

Wiki

UoSAT-1 was a British amateur radio satellite which orbited Earth and was built at the University of Surrey. It exceeded its anticipated two-year orbital lifespan by six years, having received signals on 13 October 1989, before re-entering the atmosphere.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

1 Payload

54 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Delta 2310

Active 1974 to 1981


Stages

2

Strap-ons

3

Launch Site

SLC-17A

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

11 days 12 hours

Stats

Delta 2000 Series


44th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1981

1981


102nd

Orbital launch attempt