Sphinx | |
Operator: | NASA |
Spacecraft: | Space Plasma High Voltage Interaction Experiment |
Spacecraft Type: | Satellite |
Start Date: | February 11, 1974 |
Crew Size: | 0 |
Launch Rocket: | Titan IIIE Centaur |
Sphinx is the designation of an American test satellite. The Sphinx satellite was the payload for the first Titan IIIE Centaur rocket. It was launched on February 11, 1974 from a Titan IIIE Centaur. However, the rocket did not reach Earth orbit[1] because the second stage failed to ignite, at which point the range safety officer ordered the rocket destroyed.[2] The satellite was destroyed along with its support, the launched with the Viking Dynamic Simulator.
SPHINX stood for Space Plasma High Voltage Interaction Experiment. It was designed to test high-voltage equipment in outer space.