Ariel (artificial satellites)

Ariel was the name of a series of British artificial satellites launched by NASA. The first was released on April 26, 1962 and the last on June 2, 1979.

The Ariel satellites were dedicated to studying the upper layers of the atmosphere, collecting data on cosmic rays and performing X-ray astronomy. In total, six satellites were launched.

Missions

Ariel 1

Launched on April 26, 1962 from Cape Canaveral by Delta rocket. It was dedicated to the study of the ionosphere in X-rays and cosmic rays.

Specifications

• Mass: 60 kg
• Perigee: 398 km
• Apogee: 1203 km
• Orbital inclination: 53.8 degrees
• Period: 100.8 minutes

Ariel 2

Launched 27 March 1964 from Wallops Island by Scout rocket. It was dedicated to the study of the upper atmosphere.

Specifications

• Mass: 68 kg
• Perigee: 287 km
• Apogee: 1349 km
• Orbital inclination: 51.7 degrees
• Period: 101.3 minutes

Ariel 3

Launched May 5, 1967 from Vandenberg Air Force Base by Scout rocket. It was dedicated to the study of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

Specifications

• Mass: 90 kg
• Perigee: 499 km
• Apogee: 604 km
• Orbital inclination: 80.6 degrees
• Period: 95.6 minutes

Ariel 4

Launched December 11, 1971 from Vandenberg Air Force Base by Scout rocket. He conducted ionospheric studies.

Specifications

• Mass: 100 kg
• Perigee: 476 km
• Apogee: 592 km
• Orbital inclination: 82 degrees
• Period: 95.3 minutes

Ariel 5

Launched on October 15, 1974 from the San Marco offshore platform by Scout rocket. It was intended to perform X-ray astronomy.

Specifications

• Mass: 129 kg
• Perigee: 504 km
• Apogee: 549 km
• Orbital inclination: 2.9 degrees
• Period: 94.9 minutes

Ariel 6

Launched June 2, 1979 from Wallops Island by Scout rocket. He conducted studies on heavy cosmic rays and X-ray astronomy.

Specifications

• Mass: 154 kg
• Perigee: 372 km
• Apogee: 383 km
• Orbital inclination: 55 degrees
• Period: 92.1 minutes