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Explorer 7 (1959-009A) was launched October 13,
1959. It was designed to measure solar x-ray and Lyman-alpha flux, trapped energetic
particles, and heavy primary cosmic rays.
Significantly, it also carried Verner Suomi's
flat-plate radiometer,
improved with the help of Robert Parent, that took the first Earth radiation budget measurements
from space and initiated the era
of satellite studies of
the climate. Using both
satellite observations of the Earth's heat balance and atmospheric cooling rates
measured by net flux radiosondes, Suomi established the important
role played by clouds in absorbing radiated solar energy. These
observations established that Earth’s energy budget varies markedly
due to the effect of clouds, the surface albedo, and other
absorbing constituents. Using these instruments, Suomi and his team
discovered that the Earth absorbed more of the Sun's energy than
originally thought and demonstrated that it was possible to measure
and quantify seasonal changes in the global heat budget.
Launched by a Juno
rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, it was in a 573 km by 1073 km orbit and inclined
50.27°.
The satellite weighed 41.5 kg, was 75 cm high and 75 cm wide.
Powered by solar cells
it also carried 15 nickel-cadmium batteries around
its equator.
It transmitted data continuously through to February 1961 and
went dead August 24, 1961. It is still in orbit.[1]
References
| Explorer program |
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Italics indicate probes that failed to deploy or otherwise
malfunctioned |
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