Explorer Moon Missions
Three Explorers were sent to study the Moon. They were all successful, although Explorer 33 ended up in an Earth orbit and was used to study our home planet instead.
Explorer 49 Information
Explorer 49 was the last U.S. mission to the Moon for 21 years. It was also the largest spacecraft to enter lunar orbit. Explorer 49's main mission was radio astronomy, using a set of giant antennas, the spacecraft took measurements of the planets, our Sun and beyond. The mission ended in June 1975.
Explorer 49 was the last U.S. mission to the Moon for 21 years. It was also the largest spacecraft to enter lunar orbit. Explorer 49's main mission was radio astronomy, using a set of giant antennas, the spacecraft took measurements of the planets, our Sun and beyond. The mission ended in June 1975.
Explorer 35 Information
Explorer 35 had better luck than Explorer 33. It studied interplanetary space from lunar orbit and discovered that the Moon has no magnetosphere, that the solar wind impacts the lunar surface and that the Moon creates a 'cavity' in the solar wind. Explorer 35 operated for six years until NASA deliberately shut it down.
Explorer 35 had better luck than Explorer 33. It studied interplanetary space from lunar orbit and discovered that the Moon has no magnetosphere, that the solar wind impacts the lunar surface and that the Moon creates a 'cavity' in the solar wind. Explorer 35 operated for six years until NASA deliberately shut it down.
Explorer 33 Information
Explorer 33 was supposed to be the first U.S. spacecraft to orbit the Moon, but became another successful failure. When a malfunction accelerated the probe too rapidly, it ended up in an eccentric Earth orbit. After Mission controllers managed to stabilize the orbit, the spacecraft sent back useful data on Earth's magnetic tail, radiation in space and the magenetic field between the planets. NASA collected data from Explorer 33 until September 1971.
Explorer 33 was supposed to be the first U.S. spacecraft to orbit the Moon, but became another successful failure. When a malfunction accelerated the probe too rapidly, it ended up in an eccentric Earth orbit. After Mission controllers managed to stabilize the orbit, the spacecraft sent back useful data on Earth's magnetic tail, radiation in space and the magenetic field between the planets. NASA collected data from Explorer 33 until September 1971.