Explorer 20 (Ionosphere Explorer)
Explorer 20 was NASA’s Ionosphere Explorer satellite launched on August 25, 1964 to probe the ionosphere with radio-frequency pulses reflected from the upper atmosphere.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer XXExplorer 20Ionosphere Explorer AIE-A1964-051NASA S-48
- Name
- Explorer 20 (Ionosphere Explorer)
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Explorer 20 was NASA’s Ionosphere Explorer satellite launched on August 25, 1964 to probe the ionosphere with radio-frequency pulses reflected from the upper atmosphere.
- Destination
- Near-circular, near-polar low Earth orbit at approximately 816 km perigee and 1,010 km apogee (79.9° inclination; 104-minute period)
- End Date
- 1965-12-29
- Outcome
- The mission’s launch vehicle did not provide enough thrust to achieve the planned highly eccentric orbit, limiting the intended ionospheric investigation; Explorer 20 remains a distinct NASA ionosphere mission and spacecraft identity.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1964-08-25
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19650003005
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 19:53:32 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 21, 2026 at 10:59:25 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles