Explorer 17 (Atmosphere Explorer A)
Explorer 17, also known as Atmosphere Explorer A, was NASA’s first comprehensive aeronomy satellite, launched on April 3, 1963 to measure neutral density, atmospheric composition, ion concentration, and electron temperature from low Earth orbit.
Follow this mission
Alerts are unavailable because this mission is no longer active.
Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer XVIIExplorer 17Atmosphere Explorer AAE-A1963-009
- Name
- Explorer 17 (Atmosphere Explorer A)
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Explorer 17, also known as Atmosphere Explorer A, was NASA’s first comprehensive aeronomy satellite, launched on April 3, 1963 to measure neutral density, atmospheric composition, ion concentration, and electron temperature from low Earth orbit.
- Destination
- Low Earth orbit
- End Date
- 1963-07-10
- Outcome
- Explorer 17 carried pressure gauges, mass spectrometers, and electrostatic probes to characterize the upper atmosphere between roughly 260 and 900 kilometers; battery power failed on July 10, 1963 after significant aeronomy data were returned.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1963-04-03
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19650006745
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 19:47:42 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 19:47:42 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles