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Launched by the U.S. Air Force in 1963, the West Ford satellite used a unique concept to test the new undertaking of communications from space. Once in space, a dispenser via a spring mechanism pushed a canister, packed with millions of tiny needles (dipoles), into orbit. The needles in the canister slowly separated and formed a ring around the Earth. Antennas on the ground bounced radio signals off the ring of needles to communicate.

The museum's satellite is a prototype; this artifact is the housing for the dispenser mechanism.

Transferred from the National Museum of American History to the Museum in 2004.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads Manufacturer Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory
 Dimensions Overall: 12.7 × 12.7 × 61cm, 8lb. (5 × 5 × 24 in., 3.6kg)
Storage: 61 × 71.8 × 33.7cm (24 in. × 28 1/4 in. × 13 1/4 in.)
 Materials Aluminum
Paint
Steel
Copper Alloy
Natural Fabric
Plastic
Teflon
Gold Plating
Phenolic Resin
Cadmium Plating
 Inventory Number A20040113002 Credit Line Transferred from the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.