Title :
Small-Satellite Projects Offer Big Rewards
Author :
Martin, Larry K. ; Jones, Windell H. ; Shiroma, Wayne A.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
Abstract :
In 1958, the United States launched its first satellite ever, the Explorer 1. This rocket shaped satellite was a little over 2-m long with a diameter of about 16 cm and weighed roughly 14 kg. But as small as it was, the Explorer 1 ended up successfully completing its mission and made a significant impact on science and our overall understanding of the Earth´s magnetosphere as the first spacecraft to detect the Van Allen radiation belts.
Keywords :
artificial satellites; radiation belts; rockets; Earth magnetosphere; Explorer 1; Van Allen radiation belt detection; rocket shaped satellite; small satellite; spacecraft; Calibration; Global Positioning System; Satellite broadcasting; Satellites; Spaceborne radar; Transponders;
Journal_Title :
Potentials, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MPOT.2014.2315858
