Aug 3 1981
From The Space Library
NASA launched Dynamics Explorer A and B from the WSMC at 2:56 a.m. PDT (5:56 a.m. EDT) on a Delta into polar orbits with 24,945-kilometer(15,500-mile) and 1300-kilometer(808-mile) apogees, 675 kilometer(420-mile) and 306-kilometer(190-mile) perigees, 90° inclination, and 409 and 97.5-minute periods. The orbits, lower than predicted, were still suitable for the full scientific mission. Launch had been delayed three successive days by command-system discrepancies, high winds at the launch site, and problems with a tracking aircraft.
Called DE-1 and DE-2 in orbit, the satellites would study the interaction of solar energy with near-Earth space, simultaneously acquiring data on auroras (northern lights) produced by solar energy entering Earth's magnetic field and their effect on radio transmission and basic weather patterns. (NASA Releases 81-95, 81-114; NASA MOR S-850-81-03 [prelaunch] July 28/81, [postlaunch] Aug 7/81; W Star, Aug 4/81, D-5)
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