This is an antenna ring for an early Explorer spacecraft, with four attached braided antennae. It acted as the coupling between the payload section and the final stage of the launch system. It was built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is complete, non-flight hardware.
The antenna system was transferred to NASM in February 1975.
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
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Parts & Structural Components
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Overall (Body): 6 1/4in. x 5in. (15.88 x 12.7cm)
Other (Antennae): 1ft 10 1/2in. (57.15cm)
Overall: 3ft 4 1/2in. x 2ft 5in. x 5in. (102.87 x 73.66 x 12.7cm)
Phenolic Resin, Steel, Aluminum, Plastic, Copper, Rubber, Cadmium, Ink
A19751439000
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Air and Space Museum
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