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Explorer 49 RAE-B lunar radio-astronomy observatory spacecraft family

Explorer 49, also known as RAE-B, was a 1973 NASA lunar-orbit radio observatory and the final U.S. lunar mission for 21 years. Its large deployable antennas studied low-frequency radio emissions from the Sun, planets, and galactic and extragalactic sources from a circular lunar orbit; NASA declared the mission complete in 1975 and maintained contact until 1977.

Explorer 49 RAE-B lunar radio-astronomy observatory spacecraft family
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Identity

Aliases
Explorer 49RAE-BRadio Astronomy Explorer-BAIMP-49Explorer 49 spacecraft
Family Name
Explorer 49
Full Name
Explorer 49 RAE-B lunar radio-astronomy observatory spacecraft family
Roles
orbiterobservatoryresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Explorer 49, also known as RAE-B, was a 1973 NASA lunar-orbit radio observatory and the final U.S. lunar mission for 21 years. Its large deployable antennas studied low-frequency radio emissions from the Sun, planets, and galactic and extragalactic sources from a circular lunar orbit; NASA declared the mission complete in 1975 and maintained contact until 1977.
First Flight Year
1,973
Last Flight Year
1,977
Operator
Spacecraft Specs
Launch Mass
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Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 12:29:38 UTC
Updated Time
August 24, 2026 at 05:11:12 UTC