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View of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center tower at sunset

One museum, two locations

Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.

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Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

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space shuttle launch

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Women in Aviation and Space Family Day

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Bob Hoover Gives an Air Show Performance

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Sub Satellite, Particles and Fields, Apollo 16, Qualification Model

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  3. Sub Satellite, Particles and Fields, Apollo 16, Qualification Model
  • A column with flat metallic panels on the outside.
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    The Apollo 15 and Apollo 16 missions carried a small subsatellite designed to be released in lunar orbit just prior to the beginning of the astronauts' return flight to earth. Powered by six solar panels in 11 silver-cadmium batteries, the so-called "Particles and Fields subsatellites" contained three instruments: a magnetometer, an S-band transponder, and charged particle detectors. Instruments were designed to measure the strength and direction of interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic field, to detect variations in the lunar gravity field, and measure proton and electric flux from the solar wind.
    The artifact here is the qualification model for the Particles and Fields subsatellite. It underwent extensive tests and demonstrations prior to the launch of the actual satellites. It was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian in 1975.
  • A column with flat metallic panels on the outside.

ID#:

A19750196000

Source:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use
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National Air and Space Museum

6th St. and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560

202-633-2214

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Free Timed-Entry Passes
Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
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