The Canadian Defence Research Board Topside Sounder Satellite

This satellite is designed to measure the characteristics of the outer levels of the ionosphere above the region of maximum ionization. The Topside Sounder will cover the frequency range from 1.8 to 11.5 Mc/s in 10 second sweeps for periods of twelve minutes on command from ground stations. Much of the surface is covered with solar cells which will charge nickel cadmium batteries. The sounding transmitter will produce 200 W pulse power in 100 ¿s pulses at a rate of 67 per second.