Orbiting Astronomical Observatory - 1
Description
OAO 1 was a solar-cell-powered satellite instrumented to make precision astronomical observations and to measure the absorption and emission characteristics of the stars, planets, nebulae, and the interplanetary and interstellar media from visible to gamma-ray regions. The stabilization system permitted three axes and a pointing accuracy of 1 arc minute after the star tracker acquired a guide star. The control system permitted an ultimate pointing accuracy of 0.1 arc second. OAO 1 was launched in a nominal nearly perfect circular orbit and operated as planned for the first 7 minutes after separation. Subsequent high voltage arcing and battery depletion caused the mission to be terminated as a failure after 20 orbits without activating the experiments. Major problems were attributed to a failure in the power supply system and to high voltage arcing in the star trackers. (NASA - National Space Science Data Center) |
Facts
Spectrum Studied: Gamma Rays, X-rays, Broadband Ultraviolet Launch Date: 1966-04-08 Termination Date: 1966-04-08 Orbital Location: Earth orbit (800 km) Launch Vehicle: Atlas-Agena D Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States Mass: 1769.0 kg Funding Agency NASA-Office of Space Science (United States) |