The Injun program was a series of six satellites designed and built by researchers at the University of Iowa to observe various radiation and magnetic phenomena in the ionosphere and beyond.
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The design specifics of the satellites had little in common, though all were solar-powered and the first five used magnetic stabilization to control spacecraft attitude. (The last in the series was spin-stabilized.) Instruments included particle detectors of varying types, magnetometers, and photometers for observing auroras.[1] The last three satellites were launched as part of the Explorer program of the NASA.
In spite of various hardware difficulties and the loss of Injun 2 due to an upper stage failure, the program was generally successful. In particular, they produced data on the Van Allen radiation belts including electrical convection in the magnetosphere,[2] and the radiation after effects of the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test.[3]
Launch
edit| Name | Also known as | Launched | Vehicle | Ceased operation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injun 1 | 29 June 1961 | Thor-Able | 6 March 1963 | 
|
Failed to separate from Solrad 3; still in orbit.[4] | |
| Injun 2 | 24 January 1962 | Thor-Able | Failed to orbit |
|
Upper stage produced insufficient thrust. | |
| Injun 3 | 12 December 1962 | Thor-Agena | 25 August 1968 | 
|
Deorbited on 25 August 1968. | |
| Injun 4 | IE-B, Explorer 25 | 21 November 1964 | Scout X-4 | December 1966 | _satellite.jpg)
|
Still in orbit.[5] |
| Injun 5 | IE-C, Explorer 40 | 8 August 1968 | Scout X-4 | June 1971 | 
|
Still in orbit.[6] |
| Injun 6 | IE-D, Hawkeye, Neutral Point Explorer, Explorer 52 | 3 June 1974 | Scout X-4 | 28 April 1978 | 
|
Main article: Explorer 52 |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Swift, Daniel W.; Gurnett, Donald A. (1973). "Direct comparison between satellite electric field measurements and the visual aurora". Journal of Geophysical Research. 78 (31): 7306–7313. Bibcode:1973JGR....78.7306S. doi:10.1029/JA078i031p07306. hdl:2060/19730016689.
- ^ Gurnett, Donald. Dyer, E.R. (ed.). Electrical Fields and Plasma Observations in the Magnetosphere, in Critical Problems in Magnetospheric Physics (PDF). American Geophyscial Union. pp. 123–138. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ Hess, Wilmot N. (September 1964). "The Effects of High Altitude Explosions" (PDF). NASA. NASA TN D-2402. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Injun 1". NASA. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Explorer 25 (Injun 4)". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "IE C (Injun 5, Explorer 40)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
External links
edit- "Injun 1". Gunter's Space Page. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "Injun 2". Gunter's Space Page. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "Injun 3". Gunter's Space Page. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "IE B (Injun 4, Explorer 25)". Gunter's Space Page. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "IE C (Injun 5, Explorer 40)". Gunter's Space Page. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "IE D (Injun 6, Hawkeye, Neutral Point Explorer, Explorer 52)". Gunter's Space Page. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.