Mission type Ionospheric Launch mass 33.6 kilograms (74 lb) Launch site Cape Canaveral LC-26B Launch date 24 May 1961 | Mission duration Failed to orbit Rocket Juno II AM-19G Reference system Geocentric Operator NASA | |
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Similar LOFTI‑1, Transit 3B, Explorer 9 | ||
S 45a top 6 facts
S-45A was an American satellite, which was lost in a launch failure in 1961. The satellite was intended to operate in a highly elliptical orbit, from which it was to have provided data on the shape of the ionosphere, and on the Earth's magnetic field. It was part of the Explorer programme, and would have been designated Explorer 12 had it reached orbit. It was the second of two identical satellites to be launched; the first, S-45, had also been lost in a launch failure, earlier in the year.
S-45A was launched aboard a Juno II rocket, serial number AM-19G. It was the final flight of the Juno II. The launch took place from Launch Complex 26B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 19:48:05 UTC on 24 May 1961. The system which was intended to ignite the second stage malfunctioned, and as a result that stage failed to ignite. The rocket failed to achieve orbit.