Explorer 39 AD-C Air-Density Inflatable-Sphere Research Spacecraft Family
Explorer 39, also known as AD-C or PL-683J, was a NASA inflatable-sphere air-density satellite launched on August 8, 1968. The 3.66-meter low-mass-to-area-ratio sphere was deployed into a nearly polar, highly elliptical orbit to determine atmospheric density from drag as a function of altitude, latitude, and time.
Follow this vehicle family
Alerts for directly linked future launches and major activity.
Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer 39Explorer XXXIXAD-CPL-683J1968 066AAir Density Explorer-CExplorer 39 spacecraft
- Family Name
- Explorer 39
- Full Name
- Explorer 39 AD-C Air-Density Inflatable-Sphere Research Spacecraft Family
- Roles
- orbiterobservatoryresearch
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- Explorer 39, also known as AD-C or PL-683J, was a NASA inflatable-sphere air-density satellite launched on August 8, 1968. The 3.66-meter low-mass-to-area-ratio sphere was deployed into a nearly polar, highly elliptical orbit to determine atmospheric density from drag as a function of altitude, latitude, and time.
- First Flight Year
- 1,968
Links
- Official Url
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19740059674
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 07:53:54 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 07:53:54 UTC