Solrad 10, known as Explorer 44 before launch, was the third in
a series of small satellites launched by the US Naval Research
Laboratory to study the Sun. It went into orbit on 8 July
1971. It was in an eccentric orbit, with apogee 630 km, perigee
436 km, and inclination 51 degrees. The orbital period was just
over 95 minutes. The satellite was spin stabilized at 60
rpm. The satellite spin axis was pointed toward the Sun. All of
the solar X-ray and UV sensors were located on the Sun-facing
end parallel to the spin axis. The satellite was 12 sided, with
a diameter of 0.76 m and a height of 0.59 m. It weighed about
118 kg. Solrad 10's scientific instruments were dedicated to
studying the solar electromagnetic radiation, specifically in
the UV/X-ray region. However, it could be commanded to study
radiations from other stellar sources. The spacecraft descended
into the atmosphere on 15 December 1979.
Additional information available at
"http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/heasarc/missions/solrad10.html"
[Summary provided by NASA]
Group: Platform_Details
Entry_ID: SOLRAD-10
Group: Platform_Identification
Platform_Category: Solar/Space Observation Satellites
Platform_Series_or_Entity: SOLRAD
Short_Name: SOLRAD-10
Long_Name: Solar Radiation-10
End_Group
Group: Synonymous_Platform_Names
Short_Name: SOLRAD-10
End_Group
Group: Platform_Associated_Instruments
Short_Name: SXP
End_Group
Group: Orbit
Orbit_Inclination: 51 degrees
Perigee: 436 km
Apogee: 630 km
End_Group
Creation_Date: 2008-01-14
Online_Resource: http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/heasarc/missions/solrad10.html
Sample_Image: http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/Images/misc_missions/solrad10_small.gif
Group: Platform_Logistics
Launch_Date: 1971-07-08
Primary_Sponsor: NASA
End_Group
End_Group (en)