Biosatellite 1 Explained

Biosatellite 1
Mission Type:Bioscience
Operator:NASAARC
Cospar Id:1966-114A
Satcat:2632
Mission Duration:30 days
Manufacturer:General Electric
Launch Mass:950kg (2,090lb)
Launch Date: UTC
Launch Rocket:Delta G 471/D43
Launch Site:Cape Canaveral LC-17A
Landing Date:[1]
Orbit Epoch:14 December 1966[2]
Orbit Reference:Geocentric
Orbit Regime:Low Earth
Orbit Eccentricity:0.00105
Orbit Periapsis:295km (183miles)
Orbit Apoapsis:309km (192miles)
Orbit Inclination:33.5ยบ
Orbit Period:90.5 minutes
Apsis:gee

Biosatellite 1, also known as Biosat 1 and Biosatellite A, was the first mission in NASA's Biosatellite program. It was launched on December 14, 1966, by a Delta G rocket from Launch Complex 17A of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station[3] into an orbit with a 296km (184miles) perigee, 309abbr=NaNabbr= apogee, and 33.5 degrees of orbital inclination, with a period of 90.5 minutes.[4] Biosatellite 1 was carrying several specimens for studying the effects of the space environment on biological processes. Prior to reentry, the entry capsule separated from the satellite bus properly, but the deorbit motor failed to ignite, leaving it stranded in a slowly decaying orbit. It re-entered and disintegrated on February 15, 1967.

Experiments

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BIOSAT 1. n2yo.com. 2018-06-14.
  2. Web site: Biosatellite 1. NSSDCA. NASA GSFC. 2018-06-14.
  3. Encyclopedia: Biosatellite. https://web.archive.org/web/20090105084440/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/biollite.htm. dead. 2009-01-05. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Mark Wade. 2018-06-14.
  4. Web site: Krebs. Gunter D.. Biosat 1, 2, 3 (Bios 1, 2, 3). Gunter's Space Page. February 1, 2023.