Explorer 48 SAS-2 gamma-ray observatory spacecraft family
Explorer 48, also known as SAS-2 or SAS-B, was a 1972 NASA gamma-ray observatory in low Earth orbit. Its 32-level wire-spark-chamber telescope surveyed celestial gamma rays from about 20 MeV to 1 GeV during roughly six months of pointed observations before a low-voltage power-supply failure ended data collection in June 1973.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer 48SAS-2SAS-BSmall Astronomy Satellite 2Explorer 48 spacecraft
- Family Name
- Explorer 48
- Full Name
- Explorer 48 SAS-2 gamma-ray observatory spacecraft family
- Roles
- orbiterobservatoryresearch
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- Explorer 48, also known as SAS-2 or SAS-B, was a 1972 NASA gamma-ray observatory in low Earth orbit. Its 32-level wire-spark-chamber telescope surveyed celestial gamma rays from about 20 MeV to 1 GeV during roughly six months of pointed observations before a low-voltage power-supply failure ended data collection in June 1973.
- First Flight Year
- 1,972
- Last Flight Year
- 1,973
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 12:31:07 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 12:31:07 UTC