Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is a refurbished full-scale replica of the Explorer 17 aeronomy satellite. Explorer 17 was one of the first launched by NASA to study the Earth's upper atmosphere. The pressurized stainless steel sphere carried instruments to measure density, pressure, and temperature. It also contained a neutral mass spectrometer to study the composition of the gases in the upper atmosphere. The satellite was placed in a 158- to 570-mile orbit on April 3, 1963 by a Thor Delta launch vehicle. Data from the mass spectrometer showed the presence of molecular oxygen, atomic and molecular nitrogen and argon in the upper atmosphere; it also led to the discovery of a belt of neutral helium about the Earth. Constructed of original parts, it was refurbished by technicians at the Goddard Space Flight Center prior to its transfer to NASM from NASA in March 1975.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Space Science at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Space Science
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed Manufacturer NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center
 Dimensions Overall: 2 ft. 11 in. wide, 80 lb. (88.9cm, 36.3kg)
 Materials Stainless steel
 Alternate Name Explorer 17 Satellite (Replica) Inventory Number A19751409000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.