Explorer 54, also known as Atmosphere Explorer-D or AE-D, was a NASA upper-atmosphere research satellite launched on October 6, 1975. Its maneuverable platform and instruments investigated energy transfer, atomic and molecular processes, chemical reactions, composition, density, and temperature in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere; operations ended January 29, 1976 and re-entry followed March 12, 1976.
Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.