SATELLITES & SPACE PROBES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z           HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site ADE (Air Density Explorer) Explorer 24 A series of balloons, made from alternating layers of aluminum foil and Mylar polyester film, placed in orbit to study the density of the upper atmosphere and the relationship between solar radiation and air density. The Air Density Explorers were developed at NASA Langley and had a diameter of 3.7 meters (12 ft) and a mass of 7–9 kg. All were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Although Explorer 9 was the first such balloon launched (as well as being the first satellite placed in orbit by an all-solid-propellant rocket and the first to be successfully launched from Wallops Island), only its three identical successors were officially designated “Air Density Explorers.” ADE was a subprogram of NASA’s Explorer series. Spacecraft Launch date Launch vehicle Orbit Explorer 19 Dec. 19, 1963 Scout X-3 597 × 2,391 km × 78.6° Explorer 24 Nov. 21, 1964 Scout X-3 530 × 2,498 km × 81.4° Explorer 39 Aug. 8, 1968 Scout B 570 × 2,538 km × 80.7° Related category    • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP