This is the Explorer II/Explorer III spacer ring for the top of a cosmic ray payload from the University of Iowa. The object is illustrated near the top of the cylinder in Figure 42 of Ludwig's master thesis. This object is a component from the primary backup payload inventory for early Explorer payloads designed and built by the University of Iowa. This component is original and has been in George Ludwig's possession since it was built in the late 1950s, with the exception of intervals when the components were used at JPL. Donated by Dr. George Ludwig in 2006.
.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
United States of America
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Dr. George H. Ludwig, University of Iowa Physics Department
3-D: 15.9 × 15.9 × 3.2cm (6 1/4 × 6 1/4 × 1 1/4 in.)
Unknown Metal
Synthetic
Coating
A20060086004
Designed and Donated by Dr. George H. Ludwig.
National Air and Space Museum
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.