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Explorer 21 IMP-II second Interplanetary Monitoring Platform spacecraft family

Second Interplanetary Monitoring Platform spacecraft, Explorer XXI was launched on 4 October 1964 to study cislunar radiation, the interplanetary magnetic field, solar-wind interactions, and solar-terrestrial relationships; despite falling short of its planned apogee, it returned useful magnetosphere data.

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Identity

Aliases
Explorer 21Explorer XXIIMP-BIMP-IIIMP-2Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-2
Family Name
Explorer 21
Full Name
Explorer 21 IMP-II second Interplanetary Monitoring Platform spacecraft family
Roles
orbiterinterplanetary_probeobservatoryresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Second Interplanetary Monitoring Platform spacecraft, Explorer XXI was launched on 4 October 1964 to study cislunar radiation, the interplanetary magnetic field, solar-wind interactions, and solar-terrestrial relationships; despite falling short of its planned apogee, it returned useful magnetosphere data.
First Flight Year
1,964
Last Flight Year
1,966

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Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 13:20:57 UTC
Updated Time
August 13, 2026 at 17:19:40 UTC