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 Courier A United States Army experimental communications satellite. The objective of the Courier program was to develop a satellite of higher capacity and longer life than SCORE, which could be used for communication tests and assessments of traffic handling techniques. The concept was similar to SCORE in that the primary operating mode was store-and-dump using onboard tape recorders. A real-time mode was also available. Unlike SCORE, Courier was a self-contained satellite and had both solar cells and rechargeable batteries for power supply. Except for the final amplifiers of the transmitters, the electronics were all solid state. Spacecraft Launch date Launch vehicle Launch site Orbit Mass (kg) Courier 1A Aug. 18, 1960 Thor-Able Star Cape Canaveral exploded 2.5 min. after launch 225 Courier 1B Oct. 4, 1960 Thor-Able Star Cape Canaveral 967 × 1,214 km × 28.3° 230 Related categories    • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES    • MILITARY RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP