OV3
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: USAF
American earth magnetosphere satellite. The OV3 GUS General Utility Satellite were built for the Air Force as part of the OV3 satellite series. Experimental satellite built by Aerojet (#1 - 4); AFCRL (#5 - 6) for USAF, USA. Launched 1966 - 1967.
Four of the spacecraft were launched during 1967 and all were successful. The satellites were Scout-boosted, three from the Western Test Range, one from Wallops Island, Virginia. Apogees ranged from 1500 to 5600 km and perigees down to 330 km. The spacecraft was a right octagonal cylinder measuring 0.76 m by 0.76 m and weighing from 68 to 78 kg. Solar cells supplied power, with a cell area of 0.34 sq m for experiments and .58 square m for support subsystems. Prime Contractor was Aerojet-General Corporation (Space-General Plant).
More at: OV3.
Related
- Family
- Earth, Magnetosphere sat
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- Wallops Island, Vandenberg, Vandenberg SLC5, Wallops Island LA3A
Photo Gallery
OV3-01
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Chronology
6 events
1966 April 22
09:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.- OV3-01 - . Mass: 69 kg (152 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF OAR. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: OV3. USAF Sat Cat: 2150 . COSPAR: 1966-034A. Apogee: 3,585 km (2,227 mi). Perigee: 341 km (211 mi). Inclination: 82.40 deg. Period: 126.40 min. Radiation data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A)..
1966 June 10
04:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3A. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.- OV3-04 - . Mass: 79 kg (174 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF OAR. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: OV3. USAF Sat Cat: 2201 . COSPAR: 1966-052A. Apogee: 4,704 km (2,922 mi). Perigee: 643 km (399 mi). Inclination: 40.90 deg. Period: 142.90 min. Radiation measurements. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .
1966 August 4
10:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.- OV3-03 - . Mass: 75 kg (165 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF OAR. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: OV3. USAF Sat Cat: 2389 . COSPAR: 1966-070A. Apogee: 3,141 km (1,951 mi). Perigee: 349 km (216 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 121.40 min. Radiation measurements. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .
1966 October 28
11:56 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.- OV3-02 - . Mass: 82 kg (180 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF OAR. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: OV3. Decay Date: 1971-09-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 2517 . COSPAR: 1966-097A. Apogee: 1,599 km (993 mi). Perigee: 319 km (198 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 104.20 min. Radiation data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .
1967 January 31
12:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B. FAILURE: Failure.. Failed Stage: U.- OV3-05 - . Payload: OV3-05. Mass: 80 kg (176 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: OV3. Decay Date: 1967-01-21 .
1967 December 5
01:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.- OV3-06 - . Payload: ATCOS 2. Mass: 95 kg (209 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF OAR. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: OV3. Decay Date: 1969-03-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 3057 . COSPAR: 1967-120A. Apogee: 443 km (275 mi). Perigee: 409 km (254 mi). Inclination: 90.00 deg. Period: 93.00 min. Ionospheric studies. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .