Explorer 51 Atmosphere Explorer-C Upper-Atmosphere Research Spacecraft Family
Explorer 51, also known as Atmosphere Explorer-C or AE-C, was a NASA upper-atmosphere research satellite launched on December 16, 1973. Its suite of 14 instruments measured thermospheric neutral composition, density, temperature, energy transfer, ionospheric chemistry, and photochemical processes over altitudes from roughly 150 to 4,000 kilometers, with merged science data through December 1978.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer 51Explorer LIAE-CAtmosphere Explorer-CAtmosphere Explorer C1973 101AExplorer 51 spacecraft
- Family Name
- Explorer 51
- Full Name
- Explorer 51 Atmosphere Explorer-C Upper-Atmosphere Research Spacecraft Family
- Roles
- orbiterobservatoryresearch
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- Explorer 51, also known as Atmosphere Explorer-C or AE-C, was a NASA upper-atmosphere research satellite launched on December 16, 1973. Its suite of 14 instruments measured thermospheric neutral composition, density, temperature, energy transfer, ionospheric chemistry, and photochemical processes over altitudes from roughly 150 to 4,000 kilometers, with merged science data through December 1978.
- First Flight Year
- 1,973
- Last Flight Year
- 1,978
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 08:04:46 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 08:04:46 UTC