The objectives of the OSO satellite series were to perform solar physics
experiments above the atmosphere during a complete solar cycle and to map the
celestial sphere for direction and intensity of UV light, X-rays, and gamma
radiation. The OSO 1 was the first satellite to have pointed instruments and
onboard tape recorders for data storage. The OSO 1 platform consisted of a
sail section, which pointed two experiments continuously toward the sun,
supplying power to the experiments from the solar batteries and rechargeable
chemical batteries; and a wheel section, which spun about an axis perpendicular
to the pointing direction of the sail and carried seven experiments. Attitude
adjustment was performed by gas jets. Data were simultaneously recorded on tape
and transmitted by FM telemetry. A command system provided for 10 ground-based
commands. The spacecraft performed normally until the second onboard tape
recorder failed May 15, 1962. The spacecraft provided real-time data until May
1964, when the power cells failed.
General Information:
Designation: 00255 / 62006A
Launch date: 7 Mar 1962
Country of origin: United States
Mission: Scientific (Sun observation)
Perigee/Apogee: 522/553 km
Inclination: 32.8°
Period: 95.3 min
Launch vehicle: Thor Delta #8
End of Life:
Out of service Apr 1963
Decay 8 Oct 1981
Additional information available at
"http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/heasarc/missions/oso1.html"
[Summary provided by NASA and The Satellite Encyclopedia]
Group: Platform_Details
Entry_ID: OSO-1
Group: Platform_Identification
Platform_Category: Solar/Space Observation Satellites
Platform_Series_or_Entity: OSO (Orbiting Solar Observatory)
Short_Name: OSO-1
Long_Name: Orbiting Solar Observatory-1
End_Group
Group: Synonymous_Platform_Names
Short_Name: OSO-1
End_Group
Group: Orbit
Orbit_Inclination: 32.8 degrees
Period: 95.3 min
Perigee: 522 km
Apogee: 553 km
End_Group
Creation_Date: 2007-12-14
Online_Resource http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/heasarc/missions/oso1.html Sample_Image http://www.nasm.si.edu/spacecraft/images/SS-Astro/A19820270000d.jpg Group: Platform_Logistics
Launch_Date: 1962-03-07
Primary_Sponsor: NASA
End_Group
End_Group (en)