Equator-S

<i>Equator-S</i>

Equator-S

Satellite operational between 1997 and 1998

The Equator-S satellite was a spacecraft constructed by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics for the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative. It was operational between 2 December 1997 and 1 May 1998.[1]

Computer generated image of the Equator-S satellite (NASA).

Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...

Description

Equator-S was a low-cost mission, launched with the intention to study the Earth's magnetosphere around the equator at heights lower than 67,000 km.[1] It was located in a near-equatorial orbit, which gave Equator-S the ability to make unique observations about the interaction between the magnetosphere and interplanetary space.[3] Equator-S had a very high spin rate and was launched on an Ariane 4 rocket on 2 December 1997.[1]

The mission ended earlier than expected, having initially been intended to have a lifetime of two years. The mission was terminated on 1 May 1998 after the failure of the onboard processor system.[1]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Max Planck Institute- Equator S Summary". Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Spacecraft Specs". MP:EquatorS Archive. Max Planck Institute. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  3. [3]
    "NASA: Equator-S". NASA. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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