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NEWS R E L E A S E
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRAT 'ION
1520 H STREET, NORTHWEST . WASHINGTON 2 5 . D. c .
TELEPHONES: DUDLEY 2 - 6 3 2 5 . E X E C U T I V E 3 - 32 6 0

Sunday
RELEASE: August 13, 1961
RELEASE NO. 61-,172

S-3 ENERGETIC PARTICLES SATELLITE

TO BE LAUNCHED BY NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration soon

will launch the first of a series of spptcecraft that will study
the behavior of energetic particles - electrons and protons, the
minute building blocks of matter - that are present in space and
affect geophysical phenomena on earth.
The complex 83-pound octagon-shaped spacecraft instrumented
with scientific experiments from universities and government
laboratories will be placed in orbit by a three-stage Delta
vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite with its
7
highly eccentric orbit extendin from a low altitude (perigee)
of abou% 170 miles to a height apogee) of about 50,000 miles
offers a unique opportunity to study the physics of fields and
energetic particles in space.
The satellite is the first of four designed specifically
to make repeated observations of the solar wind, the interplane-
tary magnetic fields, the distant regisns of the earth's magnetic
field, and the particle population of interplanetary space and
the trapped radiation regions (the Van Allen belts). These
belts, which will be traversed twice in the anticipated 31-hour
orbital period of the satellite, surround the earth at latitudes
of less than 70 degrees and between 600 and 30,000 miles.
The Goddard Space Flfght Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, has
the m J o r responsibility for the Energetic Particles Sstellite,
its integration with the Delta launch vehicle, and tracking
and data reduction. Essentially, the project consists of six
experiments:
Cosmic ray experiment, an ion electron detector experiment
and a solar cell experiment, all by the Goddard Space Flight
Center.
Proton analyzer experiment by the Ames Research Center
of NASA,
 Magnetfc field experiment by the UniverPsity of New
Hampshire
Trapped particle radiation by the State University of
Iowa.
In addition, there is a Goddard photocell optical sensing
system that will furnish information on the satellite's
orientation 9n space.
k e experiments will measure the entire particle Spectra
from energies of a few electron volts to 10 billion dr more
than l0'degades of energy. A magnetometer on a boom some 32
inches from the satellite body will determine the particles'
interactions with magnetic f i e l d s .
At its highest altitude, the satellite essentlally wlll
be in interplanetary space beyond the influence of the earth's
magnetic field. Here, electron'and proton particles normally
are few (less than 100 t o the cubic inch) and very slow-moving.
The number of cosmfc rays - also possessing high energies - '
are even smaller, less than one to the'cubicyard, hut the
interplanetary magnetic field still slightly influences a
particlefsmotion with a force about one ten-thousandth the
strength of the earthPs magnetic field.
As the satellite moves away from maximum height, it will
pass through thb doughnut-shaped Van Allen radiation belts -
essentially storage bins for energetic particles which are
trapped by the earthOs magnetic field. Geophysical phenomena
are created when these particles sift down into the atmosphere-
communications blackouts and disturbances, magnetic storms,
and auroral - northern and southern lights - displays.
The Delta vehicle will launch the spacecraft at an incli-
nation angle of 33 degrees from the equator. Due t o the highly
eccentric orbit and small power of its transmitter, it will
be one t o two weeks before an accurate orbit can be determined.
Since-the orbital period is 31 hours, almost a day may
pass before an orbit can be confirmed. An attempt will be made
t o use the Trainidad radar to cover the point of injection, but
since the target will be low on the horizon (four degrees
elevation) no precise injection velocity information will be
available. However, this radar should give an indication of
successfuP orbit.
An orbital period of approximately 31 hours will make the
spacecraft visible foro approximately 23 hours a day at stations
on the apogee side of' the earth. Three Minitrack stations -
at Woomera, Australia; Santiago, Chile; and Johannesburg, South
Africa - will record the telemetry signals 90 percent of the
time. Telemetry will be recorded continuously for one month
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and periodicelly thereafter, On the fflast orbftal pass perigee
should be 14 N latitude, 490W longitude (Atlantic Ocean). At
apogee, the latitude should be 120s latitude 99% (Pacific
Ocean).

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

The over-all responsibility for the Energetic Particles

Satellite project rests with the Gcrddard Space Flight Center
of the National Aeronautics and Space Admfnistration with
experiments being contributed by Goddard, the Ames Research
Center of NASA, the State University of" Iowa, and $he University
of New Hampshire. Approximately 50 industrial firms have
contributed to the program.
Officials concerned with t h e mergetic Particles Satellite
project include:
NASA Headquarters: Morton J, S t o l l e r , Assfstant Director,
Satellite & Sounding Rocket Programs;
D r . John E. Naugle, Energetic Particles
Program, S-3 Program Chief"; and I. L.
Cherrick, Flight Systems, S-3 Project
Offieer.
Goddard Space Plight Center: Paul Butler, Payload Manager;
Dr, Frank B. McDonald, Scientific
Advisor; Gerald W o Longaneoker, Payload
Cosrdinatctr; Frank Martin, Payload
Structures; Willfam Schfndler, Launch
Vehfcle; Fred C, Yagerhofer, Power)
Systems; James E, Scobey, Telemetry;
Jeremiah J, Nadden, Tracking Scientist;
Robert W, Rcchslle, Flight Data System;
Vietor Sfmas, Tracking; G y m s Creveling,
Data Processing and. Analysis.

EXPERIMENTER$ AND INSTITUTIONS FOR 9333 SCImTIFEC EXPERIMENTS

Ames Research Center: Dr. Michael -der, Proton Analyzer

Experiment:.
University of New Hampshire: Dla. Laurence Cahill, Magne-
tometer Eseperiment
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.. .... .... ._"- . . .. .. . .. .. . . .. -. . .. , . - .. . .. .- - -~-

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 State University of Iowa: Dr. James A . Van Allen and
Dr. Brian J. O'Brien, Trapped Radiation
Experiment.
Goddard Space Flight Center: Dr. Frank B. McDonald, Cosmic
Ray Experiments; Mr. Leo Davis, Ion
Electron Detector.

EXPEVIMENTERS AND INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ENGINEERING EXPERIMENTS

Goddard Space Flight Center: Mr. G. W. Longanecker, S o l a r

CelliExperiment; Mr. James S. Albus
and Mr. David H. Shaefer, Optical
Aspect .

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 N A S A D S EhERGETIC PARTICLES AND FIELDS PRWRAM

The S-3 s e r i e s o f s a t e l l i t e s t o measure e n e r g e t i c p a r t i c l e s

and t h e i r r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h f i e l d s i n space i s another s t e p i n
t h e o v e r a l l NASA program o f l t h e p e a c e f u l - e x p l o r a t i o n of space
f o r the b e n e f i t of a11 mankind, The s c i e n t i f i c experiments are
from u n i v e r s i t i d s and government l a b o r a t o r i e s .
The e n e r g e t i c p a r t i c l e s p o r t i o n of t h e program i s concerned
w i t h the study of t h e p a r t i c l e s w i t h energy greater than a few
e l e c t r o n - v o l t s t h a t a r e found i n the trapped and a u r o r a l r a d i a t i o n ,
and the i n t e r p l a n e t a r y plasmas, 1-

Eventually, the trapped and a u r o r a l r a d i a t i o n a s s o c i a t e d

with t h e o t h e r p l a n e t s and t h e moon will be s t u d i e d , The i n t e r -
a c t i o n between t h e charged p a r t i c l e s and the magnetic f i e l d s i s
such t h a t they must be s t u d i e d simultaneously on t h e same v e h i c l e s
i n o r d e r t o understand t h e phenomena; hence the S-3 series.
Certain of t h e phenomena a r e related to the 11-year s o l a r
cycle, and i t i s necessary t o monitor these phenomena c a r e f u l l y
o v e r a n 11-year period, A t t h e present t i m e we are i n a
t r a n s i t i o n pericd from high s o l a r a c t i v i t y towards the next
m i n i m u m which w i l l occur i n 1965. Associated w i t h these
phenomena are c e r t a i n fundamental q u e s t i o n s such as t h e o r i g i n
of cosmic r a y s and t h e n a t u r e of t h e i n t e r p l a n e t a r y f i e l d . The
long-range obgectivea of the program are t o f i n d the answers
t'd these quegtions and t o any new q u e s t i o n s which a r i s e as the
NASA e x p l o r a t o r y program proceeds,
Most of t h e 23-3 experiments w i l l examine the charged
p a r t i c l e s i n space o u t s i d e the e a r t h f s atmosphere. These are
protons, t h e n u c l e i of hydrogen atoms which c o n t i n u a l l y f l y o u t
from the sun, and t h e very f a s t cosmic r a y s which stream a c r o s s
o u r s o l a r system from unknown source's, Ssnce such p a r t i c l e s are
e l e c t r i c a l l y charged, t h e i r f l i g h t i s s t r o n g l y a f f e c t e d by the
magnetic f i e l d s i n space, A t the same t i m e t h e y c r e a t e addi-
t i o n a l magnetic f i e l p s as t h e y move through space, Thus t h e
a c c u r a t e measurement d f the s t r e n g t h and d i r e c t i o n of the i n t e r -
p l a n e t a r y magnetic f i e i d is a v i t a l o b j e c t i v e o f the s c i e n t i f i c
program of the S-3 s a t e l l i t e s ,
Most of t h e p a r t i c l e s which S-3 w i l l observe come o r i g i -
n a l l y from the sun, The magnetic f i e l d which S-3 w i l l measure
o r i g i n a t e s p r i m a r i l y in t h e sun from which i t i a to some un-
known extent t r a n s p o r t e d and warped by the streams of p a r t i c l e s .
But n e i t h e r the streams of p a r t i c l e s nor the i n t e r p l a n e t a r y
magnetic f i e l d can be d i r e c t l y observed on the s u r f a c e of t h e
earth, o r even f r 8 m a p o i n t seweral hundred miles above the

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. . . I - ... . . . . -
._. .. . . . . ..,
 ,
earths8 s u r f a c e . Not only does the atmosphere of the earth
s h i e l d u s from almost a l l p f the r e l a t i v e l y slow-moving p a r t i c l e s
t h a t come from the sun, but a l s o the magnetic f i e l d of the earth
d e f l e c t s the motion of t h e p a r t i c l e s and o v e r r i d e s t h e com-
p a r a t i v e l y w e a k magnetic f i e l d of apace.
I n s p i t e of t h i s s h i e l d i n g , a c t i v i t i e s on the s u r f a c e of
the sun have very important consequences on t h e s u r f a c e of the
earth. For example, magnetic storms on the earth which i n t e r -
f e r e with r g d i o transmission appear to be d i r e c t l y caused by
d i s t u r b a n c e s on the sun, and even the a u r o r a borealis-the
northern lights--seem t o r e s u l t from s o l a r a c t i v i t y . O f course,
the e a r t h ' s weather is c o n t r o l l e d by t h e sung and changes i n
weather may r e s u l t from v a r i a t i o n s i n s o l a r a c t i v i t y ,
Many happenings on earth may be connected d i r e c t l y t o
happenings on the sun. However, o u r p r e s e n t understanding of
solar behavior i s limited i n that we cannot r e a l l y determine
the mechanisms which relate some s o l a r phenomena t o the
phenomena we observe here on the earth, The s c i e n t i s t s making
measurements on t h e S-3 s p a c e c r a f t hope these o b s e r v a t i o n s will
add to o u r knowledge of the sun and i t s r e l a t i o n to the earth.
Cosmic Radiation
G a l a c t i c cosmic r a d i a t i o n c o n s i s t s of a very low f l u x
of protons, alpha p a r t i c l e s and n u c l e i of h e a v i e r atoms. These
i c l e s range i n energy from a f e w m i l l i o n e l e c t r o n v o l t s t o
%@Eve The f l u x v a r i e s by a f a c t o r of two over the l l - y e a r
s o l a r c y c l e and o c c a s i o n a l l y decreases s h a r p l y f o r a few days
a f t e r a s o l a r flare--the s o - c a l l e d Forbush decreases, The
o r i g i n of t h e particles, t h e mechanism by which t h e y a r e , a c -
c e l e r a t e d t o high energies, the n a t u r e of the mechanism
( o r mechaniams) which produce the l l - y e a r solar c y c l e
and the Forbush modulation of the f l u x and energy spectrum--
these are some of the q u e s t i o n s which have shaped the NASA ex-
perimental program.
S o l a r cosmic r a d i a t i o n was i d e n t i f i e d i n 1942 when measure-
mehts showed that a f e w hours a f t e r a large s o l a r f l a r e the
p o l a r regions of the earth were bombarded by protons, with
energies varying from 40 m i l l i o n e l e c t r o n v o l t s t o about 1
b i l l i o n e l e c t r o n v o l t s , These bombardments l a s t from a f e w hours
to severa? days, and t h e i r study has a l r e a d y l e d t o the d e f i -
n i t i o n of the following areas r e q u i r i n g experimental and
theoretical investigation:
--Composition, f l u x and energy s p e c t r a of the p a r t i c l e s
and the v a r i a t i o n s of these q u a n t i t i e s w i t h time and
p o s i t i o n during an event.

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 --The nature of the accelerating mechanism of the sun
and the relation between it and other solar phenomena.
--The tradectories of the particles and their distribution
in space during an event,
--Variation of the frequency and intensity of these events
with time oveF an entire $1-year solar cycle.
--Radiation levels in space.
Auroral and Van Allen Belts Radiation
Trapped and auroral radiation are related to the great
radiation belts, The Van Allen radiation belts consist of two
major regions. The inner region 18 stable with time and
characterized by a high density of protons of energies in the
range from a few million electron volts to 700 million electron
volts, The character of the outer region varies with time,
and the available evidence indicates that the radiation con-
sists of particles with energies less than one million volts.
(Recent evidence has shown that observed fluctuations in
intensity in the outer region cannot be accounted for on the
basis of solar particles injected into the earth's magnetic
field,) Presumably, there must be a mechanism In the vicinity
of the earth which accelerates the particles found in the belts.
Measurements taken during the International Geophysical
Year have shown that both Pow energy protons and electrons are
associated with ~ I A P O F ~ with
, the major part of the incident
energy carried by the electrons,
Some of the major questions in this area are:
--Origin of the radiation in the various regions of
the belt
--Life time and tragectories of the particles.
--Nature of the l o c a l accelerating mechanism.
--Relation between the trapped and auroral radiation.
--Effects of the radiation on the atmosphere and
ionosphere,
--Existence and nature of the belts on the other
planets and the moon.
Interplanetary Plasma
There are several fundamental questions on the inter-
planetary plasma:
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.-. .. . .._ ... .. . . - . .. ._ . -
 --Composition of the particles.
--Number density, directional flux, and energy spectrum
of the particles.
--Relation of these properties to the magnetic field at
the same point at the same time.
--Time variations from short periods (hydromagnetic
waves) to periods of 11 years (solar cycle).
Magnetic Fields
The magnetic field portion of the NASA program seeks to
measure the magnetic fields of the Sunj planets, and natural
satellites of the solar system, and of interplanetary space.
Experiments, such as the S-3, are! t o be carried out in con-
junction with the scientific investigation of the physical
processes causing the fields and their time changes. Simul-
taneous measurements of particle fluxes and plasma densities
are required to understand the interaction between these
phenomena and the magnetic field.
The major problems and objectives of the program are:
--To survey the geomagnetic field in as great detail
as possible over the whole earth.
--To investigate the sources, presumably ionospheric,
of electric current systems that give rise to such
ground-observed phenomena as the diurnal magnetic
variations (solar and lunisolar) including the more
pronounced variations caused by the equatorial
electrojet; and also the magnetic storm changes,
particularly the polar disturbances.
--To study the character of the outer geomagnetic
field including the rapid fluctuations that may be
related to hydromagnetic waves in the exospheric
plasma. The evidence from the Russian satellites
and also from Explorer VI, and Pioneers I and V,
has suggested the existence of a ring current. How-
ever, controversies as to the interpretation of these
data have created the need for more investlgations,
which the eccentric orbit of the S-3 series of
satellites will make possible.
--To study the interplanetary field and its fluctu-
ations which, presumable are due to "frozen" fields

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 of plasma clouds e j e c t e d from t h e sun and hydromagnetic
waves t r a v e l i n g through t h e i n t e r p l a n e t a r y medium.
$or t h i s purpose, s e v e r a l types of s p a c e c r a f t are needed.
The deep space probe, such as Ranger I, w i t h a l i m i t e d
l i f e reaching g r e a t d i s t a n c e s from t h e earth; t h e f a r
s a t e l l i t e , such as t h e S-3 s e r i e s which e s s e n t i a l l y
w i l l be f r e e from d i r e c t e f f e c t s of' the e a r t h ' s f i e l d ;
and s a t e l l i t e s o r b i t i n g t h e moon o r w i t h apogees ex-
tending t o t h i s d i s t a n c e ; and t h e f a r ranging deep space
mission t o o t h e r p l a n e t s .
--To study t h e f i e l d s - - i f any--within t h e magneto-
spheres of t h e e a r t h 3 s moon and of t h e o t h e r p l a n e t s
beginning w i t h Mars and Venus, B a s i c a l l y , t h i s i s
a study of t h e permanent magnetic f i e l d s of these
b s d i e s by planned n e a r misses w i t h space probes.
The i n i t i a l information desired about t h e magnetic
f i e l d s of t h e moon, Mars, and Venus i s t h e e x i s t e n c e
of such a f i e l d ; i t s c h a r a c t e r , approximate magnitude
and t h e o r i e n t a t i o n of t h e p o l e s ,
Techniques and Instruments
The b a s i c instruments used i n measurements of e n e r g e t i c
p a r t i c l e s are t h e i o n i z a t i o n chamber, t h e g e i g e r counter, t h e
s c i n t i l l a t i o n counter, and n u c l e a r emulsions--%he l a t t e r , how-
ever, must be recovered,
S o l i d s t a t e d e t e c t o r s have laecently been developed and are
now i n u s e . Boron t r i f l o u r i d e counters a r e used t o d e t e c t
neutrons. I o n i z a t i o n chqmbers measure t h e t o t a l amount of
i o n i z a t i o n produced both by charged p a r t i c l e s and electromagnetic
r a d i a t i o n . S c i n t i l l a t i o n ccunters and a s l i d s t a t e d e t e c t o r s
can be used t o i d e n t i f y p a r t i c l e s and t o measure t h e i r charge
and v e l o c i t y . . A Cerenkov d e t e c t o r can be used t o determine t h e
d i r e c t i o n of t r a v e l of a p a r t i c l e ,
S c i n t i l l a t i o n counters, Cerenkov counters and s o l i d s t a t e
d e t e c t o r s g i v e out p u l s e s which are r e l a t e d t o t h e energy l o s t
by a p a r t i c l e i n t h e counter, Pulse h e i g h t a n a l y z e r s , such as
OM S-3, can determine t h e s i z e of such p u l s e and s t o r e i t i n
an a p p r o p r i a t e channel f o r l a t e r transmission t o t h e ground,
Such information can be used t o mearsuye t h e energy spectrum of
charged p a r t i c l e s , The shape of t h e p u l s e from a s c i n t i l l a t i o n
counter can be used t o d i s t i n g u i s h between protons and e l e c -
trons,
Magnetometers are used t o measure magnetic f i e l d s . There
are f o u r major types i n u ~ s ea t p r e s e n t : t h e s e a r c h c o i l , t h e

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-. . . . . .-
. .
fluxgate, the proton precession and the rubidium vapor magne-
-
tometer,
The search coil consists of a coil of wire mounted in a
spinning vehicle. The voltage output from the coil is a
measure.of the scalar field at right angles to the spin axis.
Such a magnetometer can also be used to measure fluctuating
fields in a non-rotating vehicle.
The fluxgate magnetometer is a three-core device: Each
of the three orthogonal sensors will produce an output voltage
proportional to the magnitude of the component of the com-
bined magnetic field along the axis of that 8ensor. The out-
put voltage of the three sensors w i l l each occupy a separate
telemetry channel and will be combined after reception to
form the total magnetic field vector,
The output of a proton precession magnetometer is a
frequency proportional to proton magnetic moment and the
strength of the local field. Since the proton magnetic moment
is known very accurately, the field can be determined to the
accuracy with which this frequency is measured.
The output of the rubidium-vapor magnetometer is also a
frequency proportional to the local magnetic field. The advantage
of thia instrument over the proton magnetometer is that it can
be used to measure very rapid fluctuations and has a greater
dynamic range.

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 FACT SHEETS
S-3 SPACECRAFT AND SUBSYSTEMS
GENERAL
The 83-pound energetic particles satellite represents
a milestone in engineering design with its capability of
accommodating 10 particle detecting systems, and associated
electronics, all in a usable volume area of 1.578 cubic feet.
An octagon-walled platform, fabricated from nylon honey-
comb and fibreglass, with an aluminum cover .020" thick, houses
most of the electronics and instruments. Height of the octagon
is 5* inches. It is 26 5/32" across the flats of the octagon:
Volume within the octagon is 1.578 cubic feet. A transmitter
is located in the base of the payload, allowing heat to dissipate
through the structure and aluminum cover.
A magnetometer package, containing three orthogonally
mounted saturable core magnetometers and calibration coils, is
located forward of the platform on a boom which extends 32".
This reduces field effects from the electronics and instruments.
Four spring-loaded solar-celled paddles with an area of
3.84 sq. feet extend from the main structure, giving it a
diameter of about 60" when in orbit. The paddles are 13.68"
long and have a width of 20.18~'. The 5600 solar cells weigh
11 pounds. The paddles are oriented to allow a uniform solar
cell projection area at any payload-solar attitude. The paddles
are folded along the last-stage rocket t o permft their instal-
lation within the nose fairing. They are erected during flight.
Ade-rspin device is provided to reduce the roll rate to approx-
imately 31 rpm after last stage burnout. Erection of the
paddles further reduces the r o l l t o approximately 18 r p m .
Weight represented by electronics is 24.5 lb.
Weight represented by scientific experiments is 17.85 lb.
Weight represented by solar cells is 11 lb.
Weight represented by structure is 23 lb.
Batteryweight of 13 silver-cadmium storage batteries,
providing 15 watts of power,is 11 pounds. Five watts of power
are available from the solar paddle wheels.
A 2-watt, 136-megacycle transmftter, provides 50 samples
of telemetry per second.
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...I_....._.._.. I . ... ... . . ... . . . . ... . ..

, - . .- .
Optical Aspect Sensor
The spacecraft carries an Optical Aspect Sensor to determine
the orientation in space of the satellite as a function of time.
Six photo-diodes give 180 degrees digital indication of the
sunDs elevation with respect to the spin axis of the satellite -
the 180 degrees from pole-to-pole being divided into 63 parts.
The time within the telemetry frame of the sunfs appearance
is coded in binary form. Read-out of all the time and position
information is by two telemetry channels. The system consists
of two basic parts. The fibst is a digital solar aspect sensor,
consisting of a light mask aqd a number of photo-diodes placed
behind the light mask so that each photo-diode sees only the
portion of the light mask directly behfnd it. The second part
is a digital computer having memory and logic f o r determining
the time at which a photo-diode sees the sun and for remembering
which photo-diode had the input. The sensor package is basically
rectangular 2 x 2.5 x 2 lnclnea and weighs 248 grams. The
electronics is a printed card, 5 x 7 inches.

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 LAUNCE VEHICLE FOR S-3

Launch v e h i c l e f o r t h e S-3 s a t e l l i t e i s t h e t h r e e - s t a g e
Delta r o c k e t , The v e h i c l e i s programmed t o p l a c e t h e 83-pound
s a t e l l i t e i n t o a h i g h l y e l l i p t i c a l o r b i t , w i t h an apogee of
approximately 54,000 miles, p e r i g e e of about 170 m i l e s and an
o r b i t a l i n c l i n a t i o n of 33 degrees t o t h e equator. The o r b i t a l
p e r i o d i s expected t o be about 31 hours,
Vehicle prime c o n t r a c t o r f o r t h e National Aeronautics
and Space Administration i s t h e Douglas A i r c r a f t Company. A s
prime c o n t r a c t o r , Muglas i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e design, manu-
f a c t u r e , assembly, t e s t and launch of t h e Delta.
Vincent I,. Johnson i s ' v e h i c l e program manager f o r Delta
a t NASA Headquarters.
Today's launch w2s t h e s i x t h i n t h e Delta v e h i c l e program.
O f t h e previous f i v e f i r i n g s , f o u r were s u c c e s s f u l and r e s u l t e d
i n t h e o r b i t i n g of t h e Echd I, Tiros 11, Explorer X, and
T i r o s I11 s a t e l l i t e s . The f i r s t Delta launch was an unsuccessful
attempt t o o r b i t an Echo sphere on May 13, 1960.
The s u c c e s s f u l Echo was launched Aug. 12, 1960; T i r o s I1
on Nov. 23, 1960; Explorer X on March 25, 1961; and T i r o s I11
on J u l y 12, 1961.

FLIGHT SEQUENCE

A l i f t o f f , t h e 92-foot-high Delta weighs s l i g h t l y less

t h a n 112,dOO pounds. The f i r s t - s t a g e Thor rocket burns f o r
160 seconds, and i t s l50,GQO - pound-thrust engine p r o p e l s t h e
v e h i c l e t o an a l t i t u d e of 46 miles and 189 miles down range.
Second-stage s e p a r a t i o n and i g n i t i o n f o l l o w almost imme-
d i a t e l y , and 4'2 seconds l a t e r t h e f a i r i n g s are j e t t i s i o n e d by
means of explosive bclts.
Second-stage engine c u t o f f occurs about 270 seconds a f t e r
launch. The second and t h i r d stages then c o a s t f o r s l i g h t l y
more t h a n s i x minutes, t r a v e 2 i n g 1300 m i l e s down range and
reaching an a l t i t u d e of 185 m i l e s during t h i s p e r i o d .
I n r a p i d succession, r o c k e t s s p i n up the t h i r d s t a g e ,
explosive b o l t s and r e t r o r o c k e t s are f i r e d t o separate t h e
second and t h i r d s t a g e s , and t h e t h i r d - s t a g e engine is i g n i t e d .
It burns f o r 42 seconds, p l a c i n g t h e payload and t h i r d - s t a g e
- 13 -

,. ... - -. . ... . ." .. . . . _ . . . . -

casing i n t o o r b i t . A t c u t o f f , t h e engine and payload are almost
2200 m i l e s from Cape Canaveral, and t r a v e l i n g a t a v e l o c i t y o f
more t h a n 24,000 MPH.
A 24-minute c o a s t p e r i o d follows, p e r m i t t i n g exhaust gases
from t h e burned-out third-stage engine t o d i s s i p a t e . During
t h i s period, YO-YO weights on the payload despin t h e casing
and s a t e l l i t e , An explosive-actuated c u t t e r then s e v e r s a
nylon lanyard, r e l e a s i n g t h e f o u r payload paddles, and explosive
b o l t s and a s p r i n g mechanism separate t h e S-3 from t h e t h i r d
stage.
During t h e f i r s t minute and a h a l f of powered f l i g h t ,
t h e Thor a u t o p i l o t s t a b i l i z e s t h e v e h i c l e . Radio command guidance
provided by t h e B e l l Telephone Laboratories then takes over and
c o n t r o l s t h e r o c k e t u n t i l second-stage engine c u t o f f .
During t h e f i r s t c o a s t period, a Douglas-designed f l i g h t
c o n t r o l system d i r e c t s t h e second and t h i r d stages, d e t e c t i n g
d e v i a t i o n s i n p i t c h , yaw and r o l l and a c t i v i a t i n g t h e necessary
s t a b i l i z i n g helium j e t s .
S t a b i l i z a t i o n of t h e t h i r d stage i s achieved b y spinning
i t and t h e payload up t o 143 r e v o l u t i o n s per minute.

- 14 -
 DELTA VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Height - 92 feet
Diameter Max. - 8 feet
Lift-off Weight - Slightly less than
112,000 pounds
First Stage Modified Air Force Thor Rocket - Produced by
Douglas Aircraft Co. Propulsion by Rocketdyne
Fuel - Liquid / Lox and Kerosene
Weight - About l O 7 , O O O pounds fueled
Thrust - About 150,000 pounds
Burning Time - About 160 seconds
Guidance - BTL radio command guidance
system mounted in second stage
and roll and pitch programmers.
Second Stage - Assembled by Douglas - Propulsion by Aerojet
General
Fuel - Liquid
Weight - More than 4000 pounds
Thrust - About 7500 pounds
Burning Time - 109 seconds
Guidance - BTL radio command guidapce,
plus Douglas Aircraft Co.
Flight Controller
Third Stage - Assembled by Douglas - Propulsion by Allegany
Ballistic Lab.
Fuel - Solid
Weight - More than 500 pounds
Thrust - About 3000 pounds
Burning Time - 42 seconds
Guidance - spin - stabilized

- 15 -

~ . . . . ,
. . I . . . . I . .. - ..
 TRACKING AND DATA-ACQUISITLON OF THE
- €$;HmC P A m m ?

Owing t o t h e h i g h l y e c c e n t r i c orbTt and t h e a n t i c i p a t e d

q u a l i t y and amount 'of data, i t i s expected that 1-2 weeks w i l l
'
be r e q u i r e d t o determine an a c c u r a t e o r b i t . An attempt w i l l
be made t o use the Trinidad radar t o cover t h e p o i n t of injecticn.
However, owing t o t h e low horizon a s p e c t of t h e t a r g e t a t t h i s
t i m e (approximately 4 degrees eFevation) it i s not expected
t o a c q u i r e any p r e c i s e i n y e c t i o n v e l o c i t y information ,other
than a n l i n d i c a t i o n of s u c c e s s f u l o r b i t . Improved p o s i t i o n a l
information w i l l be developed from succeeding passes of
.satellite. The Minitrack network has i n s t a l l e d r e c e i v e r s
and antennas f o r t r a c k i n g and a c q u i r i n g data from t h e s a t e l l i t e .
I

Telemetry Operations
Because of the h i g h l y e c c e n t r f c o r b i t , the s p a c e c r a f t w i l l
be v i s i b l e for approximately 23 hours a t s t a t i o n s on the apogee
side of the earth. Three r e c e i v i n g s t a t i o n s p r o p e r l y equipped
and spaced i n l o n g i t u d e w i l l record t h e t e l e m e t r y s i g n a l for
90 p e r c e n t of t h e t i m e . These s t a t i o n s are a t Woomera, Santiago,
ana Johannesburg. A l l s t a t i o n s are tuned t o 136.020 Mc.
P r e s e n t p l a n s are t o record t e l e m e t r y continuously f o r 1 month
and p e r i o d i c a l l y thereafter as r e q u i r e d .
Tracking Operations
E x i s t i n g Minitrack s t a t i o n s on the apogee s i d e have been
modified t o improve s i g n a l - n o l s e r a t i o s on t h e i r f i n e - t r a c k
dntenna groups. The apogee t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n s a r e a t Woomera,
Johannesburg, Santiago, Antofagasta, and Lima.
The r a p i d passes of the s a t e l l i t e through t h e p e r i g e e
w i l l be sampled as t h e s a t e l l i t e @posses e x i s t i n g Minitrack
s t a t i o n s such as Blossom Point, Maryland; F t . Myers, F l o r i d a ;
and Goldstone, Calfformla.
The o r b i t a l period i s approximately 31 hours. On t h e
first o r b i t a l pass the l a t i t u d e i s p r e d i c t e d t o be 14ON a t
pegigee, t h e longitudeo4g0W. A t apogee, the l a t i t u d e w i l l be
12 S, the l o n g i t u d e 99 W.
A t launch, e a r l y t r a c k i n g data w i l l be c o l l e c t e d by t h e
Ft. Myers, F l o r i d a Minitpack s t a t i o n and the Goddard Space
F l i g h t Center Cape Canaveral T/M s t a t i o n . Rzuaa and o t h e r
A t l a n t i c Missile Range radar i n f o m a t i o n w i l l be a v a i l a b l e
t o GSFC f o r i n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o a, computer program. The v e c t o r
informat5on on range and velocitydof the b o o s t e r s t a g e s provided
by t h e AMR radar t r a c k w i l l provide i n p u t s f o r computing t h e
-16-
i n i t i a l i n j e c t i o n p o i n t v e l o c i t i e s of t h e s p a c e c r a f t t o a
nominal o r b i t , a f t e r which data f r o m t h e Minitrack and o t h e r
t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n s w i l l be added i n t o t h e computer problem t o
c o r r e c t the o r b i t c a l c u l a t i o n s . As t h e Minitrack s t a t i o n s
receive a d d i t i o n a l data, t h e accuracy of t h e c a l c u l a t e d param-
eters of the o r b i t w i l l be continuously improved.
The Ascension I s l a n d T/M r e c e i v e r w i l l provide an oppor-
t u n i t y t o a c q u i r e a f i r s t look a t the s p a c e c r a f t i n o r b i t .
AFMTC, AM Range w i l l add a 136.020 Mc feed t o the TU-18
antenna there.

-17-
 EXPERIMENTS I N S-3 SPACECRAFT

P r i o r t o P r o j e c t S-3, s e v e r a l import t experiments were

completed i n the Energetic P a r t i c l e s and- elds Program.
--Explorer V I , launched August 7, 1959, d e t e c t e d a r i n g
of e l e c t r i c a l c u r r e n t c i r c l i n g t h e earth, and obtained
a complete map of the Van Allen Radiation B e l t .
--Vanguard 111, launched Sepbmber 18, 1959, c a r r i e d
i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n t o make a c c u r a t e magnetic f i e l d nieasure-
ment s .
--Explorer VII, launched October 13, 1959, c o l l e c t e d data
on e n e r g e t i c p a r t i c l e s i n the Van Allen Belt.
--Pioneer V, launohed March 11, 1960, supplied a d d i t i o n a l
data o w m e r g e t i c p a r t i c l e s and t h e i r d i s t r i b u t i o n and
data on t h e i n t e r p l a n e t a r y maknetic f i e l d .
--Explorer X measured magnetic f i e l d s i n n e a r e a r t h space.
The primary o b j e c t i v e of S-3 s e r i e s of s a t e l l i t e s w i l l
be t o d e s c r i b e completely the trapped corpuscular r a d i a t i o n ,
s o l a r p a r t i c l e s , cosmic r a d i a t i o n , the s o l a r winds, and t o
c o r r e l a t e t h e p a r t i c l e phenomena w i t h magnetic f i e l d obser-
v a t i o n s . A d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e experiments follows:
Proton Analyzer Experiment (Ames Research Gerit.er of NASA,
D r . M. Bader)
The purpose of t h i s experiment i s t o measure low energy
proton flux and spectrum i n space from one q u a r t e r t o 10
earth r a d i i (1,000 t o 40,000 miles). These p a r t i c l e s are
believed t o account f o r 85 p e r c e n t of t h e energized p a r t i c l e s
i n space. Data obtained w i l l i n c r e a s e our knowledge of proton
c o n c e n t r a t i o n s i n s o l a r winds caused by s o l a r flares. These
data w i l l a l s o be u s e f u l f o r c o r r e l a t i n g p a r t i c l e a c t i v i t y
i n space i n t h e Van Allen Radiation B e l t s w i t h s o l a r a c t i v i t y .
Many s c i e n t i s t s c o n s i d e r the i n t e r p l a n e t a r y plasma as
simply the c o n t i n u a t l o n of t h e sun's atmosphere i n t o t h e
space between t h e planets. This atmosphere, o r corona,
c o n s i s t s mostly of protons and e l e c t r o n s . The cloud i s
s o d i f f u s e t h a t o r d i n a r y p r e s s u r e and tern e r a t u r e measurements
;gTg o t be made
particles
3
o 100 p a r t i c l e s p e r CM , as compared w i t h
a t sea l e v e l ) . Some t h e o r i e s suggest
t h a t t h e i n t e r p l a n e t a r y plasma i s a r e l a t i v e l y s t a t i o n a r y
cloud of g a s surrounding t h e sun. On the other hand, o t h e r
s c i e n t i s t s b e l i e v e that a s o l a r wind c o n s t a n t l y streams
away from the sun. T h i s solar wind c o n s i s t s of i o n i z e d
-18-
atoms of gas (primarily hydrogen) which move with velocities
of several hundred to a thousand miles a second. Recent
measurements from Explorer X have tended to confirm the
existence of the solar wind.
All descriptions of the interplanetary plasma picrture
it as being disturbed by outbursts of solar activity -- solar
flares or magnetic storms on the surface of the sun. At such
times, the density, the speed of flow, and the temperature
of the interplanetary plasma probably all change.
The solar wind is presumed responsible in large part for
many phenomena observed on earth, such as geomagnetic dis-
turbances, auroras, and interference with radio communications.
f
The flux of plasma particles number of particles incident
on a given area per unit time is believed to be many orders
of magnitude greater (107, which is 10 million) than that of
the higher energy particles in the earth's radiation belts.
Only two direct measurement attempts have been reported, one
by the USSR (Lunik) and a recent one by Explorer X, neither
of which has given a complete description of the interplanetary
plasma, in part because of insufficient time in orbit and in
part because of the restricted ranges of the instruments.
The plasma probe designed and built at Ames for the S-3
is basically a curved-plate electrostatic analyzer with an
electrometer detector. The plate voltage is continuously
varied so that the instrument will record the presence of
particles as a function of their energy (200 ev t o 20 kev,
corresponding to the expected 200 to 2,000 km/sec velocity
range). The electrometer output is a measure of the particle
flux for each setting of the plate voltage. Basically, it
works this way: As a charged particle enters the analyzer,
by means of a slit in the satellite skin, it finds itself in
a curving tunnel. The two sides of this tunnel are metal
plates carrying static electric charges, one negative, the
other positive. The charged particle is attracted by one
plate and repelled by the other, and so follows a curved
path down the curved tunnel. If it is moving too slowly
or too rapidly, it runs into one wall or the other. But if
it is moving at just the right speed, it makes its way all
the way to the end and is there detected by a particle counter.
Thus, all the particles moving in the right direction to enter
the tunnel and moving with the right speed to get all the way
through will be detected. Automatically, at fixed intervals,
the amount of the stat3 charge on the metal side plates is
changed, so that a different range of energy is required for
the particles to get through.
The complete instrument package is housed in a box '2x3~4
inches, and weighs just under one pound. Its total power
consumption iu 145 milliwatts (one one-thousandth of an ordinary
light bulb).
-19-

.. . . -. . . ._.. . . . ." . . - -
Magnetic Field Experiment (Univerpity of New Hampshire, Dr.
E. Cahill),
The purpose of this experiment is to measure the magnitude
and direction of the earth's magnetic field between 3 and 10
earth radii (12,000 and 40, OW Mles) ass accurately as possible;
>to investigate the possible termination of the geomagnetic
fie1.d in the vicinity of 10 earth radii (40,pOO miles); and to
use this data ta d e t e m n e the existence of postulated extra-
terrestial current systems and magnetic disturbances, particularly
in relation to solar events and changes in particle intensities.
Present-day theories of magnetohydrodynamics -- the study
of the relation between the motion of charged particles and
the magnetic field which surrounds them -- say that the plasma
which flows away from the sun should drag with it the l o c a l
solar magnetic field, since the motion of charged particles
not only responds to but also creates magnetic fields. The
mathematical description of this interaction between the stream
of charged particles leaving the sun and the magnetic field
which surrounds the sun is extremely complicated. The theories
which have been used to describe these phenomena are incomplete
and often contradictory. In order to make any headway at all
against the mathematical difficulties, soientists are forced to
assume various characteristics of the interplanetary plasma.
However, at present, there is no way of determlning'whether
or not these assumptions are realistic.
The results of the S-3 measurements on the magnetic fields
in interplanetary space will be used to check the conclusions
of the various theories now existing, and will also be used
to provide additional and more valid assumptions for the creation
of a more conclusive theory.
Several earth satellite measurements, and measurements
taken by the probes, Pioneer I, Pioneer V, and Explorer X have
given us a few pieces of information about the field at great
distances from the earth, and information about the nature of
the magnetic field in the space between the earth and the
moon. It is in this latter region of space that the inter-
planetary field and the earth's magnetic field interact to
form a complicated boundary. Some scien$ists believe that
the detailed structure of this boundary may explain the creation
of the Van Allen Radiation Belts. Results from Explorer v1:
and Pioneer V suggest that the magnetic field in this region
may be perturbed by a vast current ring encircling the earth
outside of the major radiation belts. The particles in this
current may have been detected by Soviet space probes.
The S-3 will study the undisturbed magnetic field of the
earth to determine if the field is temninated by solar wind
pressure within the range of measurement. Data will be studied
-20-
for evidence of t h e “ r i n g ” c u r r e n t , revealed by Pioraeer V.
V a r i a t i o n s of sun,li a c u r r e n t , both i n s p e c t r a l posIZtion and
i n t i m e , w i l l be i n v e s t i g a t e d . Data a l s o wlll be examlned f o r
r a p i d changes of the magnetic f i e l d i n time. These might be
i n t e r p r e t e d t o g e t h e r w i t h information from ground magnetic
o b s e r v a t o r i e s , as evidence f o r the propagation of hydromagnetic
waves. Time v a r i a t i o n s i n the magnetic f i e l d w i l l be compared
w i t h s u r f a c e magnetic measurements and w i t h records of s o l a r
a c t i v i t y t o d i s c o v w p o s s i b l e c o r r e l a t i o n s , p a r t i c u l a r l y during
magnetic storms. The t i m e v a r i a t i o n s i n the f i e l d w i l l be
compared w i t h t h e v a r i a t i o n s i n p a r t i c l e i n t e n s i t i e s for fixed
l o c a t i o n s between the two neasurements. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e
d i r e c t i o n of -I;h.e magnetic f i e i d w i l l be a v a i l a b l e f o r comparison
w i t h d i r e c t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e p a r t i c l e i n t e n s i t i e s .

Comparison o f nagnetis f i e l d data from S-3 and a l s o t h e

Ranger-type space probe w i l l enable s c i e n t i s t s t o study g r a d i e n t s
of magnetic f i e l d s ane the r a t e of propagation of magnetic d i s -
turbances, and how solar wrrida eTfect t h e f i e l d .

Thus, data from t h e mzgnetometer measurement w i l l be of

fundamental importnrxe L:? i n t s T p r e t i n g the r e s u l t s of the
v a r i o u s charged pa:L,tlicles ex7eriments which a r e c a r r i e d OR
board S-3. The combins.t-;on of charged n a r t i c l e measurements
and magnetic fie16 measurements will be of tremendous value i n
advancing our knowledge i n t h e behavior of t h e sun and i t s e f f e c t s
upon phenomena h e r e on the s u r f a c e of t h e e a r t h ,
The f l u x - g a t e rmgnetoomt$m i s a, t h r e e - c o r e device. Each
of t h e t h r e e orthogonal SWISOTS 2roduce an output v o l t a g e
p r o p o r t i o n a l t o the magnitude of t h e component of the combined
magnetic f i e l r ! along that sensor. The output v o l t a g e s of the
t h r e e s e n s o r s each occupy a, s e p v a t e channel and are combined
a f t e r r e c e p t i o n t o c’ozr:: t h e tc;tal magnetic field! v e c t o r . The
range of measurerimit i s from a f e w ganunas t o 1,000 gammas.
Accuracy i s p l u s o r qninus 10 gammas. Magnetometer i n s t r u -
mentation c o n s l s t s of “,wo packages: a sensor package 3x3x4.S
inches, and an e’ecti-onics 2ackage _?x4x6+ inches. The f i r s t
weighs 640 grams and t h e l a 3 t e r 760 grams. T o t a l power con-
sumption i s 405 nill!-va-btsu
-
Trapped P a r t i c l e Radiation ( S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y of Iowa, D r . Brian
J . OsBrien)
The purpose of’ this expe?lment I s t o measure c h a r a c t e r -
i s t i c s of p a r t i c l e r a d i a t i o n -- trapped p a r t i c l e s , s o l a r
p a r t i c l e s , and cosmic mys --- o m r t h e e n k i r e s p a c e c r a f t o r b i t
t o determine t h e l r fluxes and e n e r g i e s and s p a t i a l and t e m -
p o r a l dependence.
Instrumentation Coi~slSCvSof f o u r g e i g e r c o u n t e r s and t h r e e
cadmium s u l p h i d e c e l l s . A Geiger-Mueller counter, similar t o
t h o s e w i t h which Professor Van Allen discovered t h e e x i s t e n c e
-21-

, . .,. _ . ” .... ~ . , .. -. . .. . . .- . . .. - .
of" t h e v a s t b e l t s of r a d i a t i o n around t h e earth w i l l d e t e c t
p a r t i c l e s a r r i v i n g from every d i r e c t i o n . It w i l l measure protons
above 20 Mev and e l e c t r o n s above 2 M e V ,
The three o t h e r tubes make up an e l e c t r o n spectrometer.
One geiger d e t e c t s e l e c t r o n s between about 40 and 55 kev which
are focused onto i t by being d e f l e c t e d by the f i e l d of a small
magnet. T h i s i s h e a v i l y shielded, b u t another geiger i s housed
along side i n i d e n t i c a l s h i e l d i n g t o monitor p e n e t r a t i n g
r a d i a t i o n s (protons above 50 M e V , e l e c t r o n s above 10 Mev). The
t h i r d g e i g e r measures e l e c t r o n s between 90-100 'kev,
The cadshium sulphide c e l l s are s o l i d - s t a t e semi-conductor
devices which change t h e i r e l e c t r i c + r e s i s t a n c e i n proportion
t o the r a t e a t which they are being bombarded by charged
p a r t i c l e s , The c o n d u c t i v i t y i s measured by applying a steady
v o l t a g e t o the c r y s t a l , Charge flowing through the c r y s t a l
b u i l d s up on a condenser u n t i l a c r i t i c a l v o l t a g e i s reached a n d
t h e condenser discharges through a glow t u b e , The r a t e of d i s -
charge t h u s i n c r e a s e s w i t h the c o n d u c t i v i t y and hence the
i o n i z a t i o n energy l o s t i n the c r y s t a l also i n c r e a s e s the r a t e of
discharge. These c r y s t a l s are uncovered and can d e t e c t p a r t i c l e s
t o very low energies-protons and e l e c t r o n s down t o e n e r g i e s of
t h e o r d e r of 100 ev o r l e s s , One cadmium sulphide c e l l measures
t h e t o t a l energy flux o f both protons and e l e c t r o n s on it. Another
c e l l has a magnet which d e f l e c t s e l e c t r o n s below s e v e r a l hundred
kev from s t r i k i n g the c r y s t a l , performing as a low-energy proton
d e t e c t o r , A t h i r d cadmium sulphide c e l l looks i n the same narrow
region of t h e sky as do t h e o t h e r two, T h i s , however, i s f i t t e d
w i t h a transparent s h i e l d so t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s f o r the e f f e c t s o f
l i g h t ( e a r t h l i g h t o r sunleght) s t r i k i n g t h e o t h e r two c e l l s may
?e made a c c u r a t e l y ,
, S t a t e University of Iowa i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n a l s o i n c l u d e s an
encoder, The spectrometer and the cadmium sulphide c e l l s view
narrow p o s i t i o n s o f the sky perpendicular t o the axis o f s p i n of
t h e s a t e l l i t e , The d e t e c t o r s are selected--two a t a time--to
feed two scaling u n i t s f o r 10,24 seconds, The scalers each a r e
read o u t twice and t h e information telemetered as a sequence of
b i n a r y b i t s , The s c a l e r s are t h e n reset t o zero and the next
pair o f d e t e c t o r s s e l e c t e d . T h i s information i s then fed t o an
a p p r o p r i a t e d i g i t a l s u b c a r r i e r o s c i l l a t o r f o r transmission on
t e l e m e t r y channels,
The s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y of the apparatus i s f o r 218 counts
i n 10.24 seconds--a maximum counting r a t e o f about 25,000
counts/seconds. The three cadmium sulphide c e l l s weigh 494
grams; t h e Geiger-Mueller counter3 292 rams, and the three
8
geigers i n t h e e l e c t r o n spectrometer, 7 3 grams, The encoder
and hardware weigh 1540 grams,
- 22 -
Cosmic Ray Experiments (GoddaFd Space Flight Center, Dr, Frank B.
Mc Lk] n a1d
At the present tine, the m o s Z fanportant problems in cosmic
rays are the nature of the aczelerating mechanism and the nature
of the modulation mechanism which produce the 11-year solar cycle
variation and the Forbush type decrease, An accelerating mechanism
which can produce particles with energLes up t o 1018 ev and a
modulation mech@.sm which can influence particles with energies
greater than 10 ev have important astrophysical implications.
The theoretical explanations f o r these phenomena are hopelessly
inadequate at this time and. additional experhental information
is needed.
The sun is a very impcrtant source o f low energy cosmic
rays and the cosmic ray m o C u l a t i o n mechanism appears to be
intimately connected t o solar events, If we can understand the
mechanism by which solar cosmic rays are produced and the
connection between s o l a r activity and cosmic ray intensity changes,
then we will probably have the necessary clues to understand the
general origin of cosmic rays.
The S-3's cosmic ray monitoring prograrn beyond the effects
of the earth's magnetic field permits the production and modulation
of cosmic rays to be studied with the same set of experiments. The
program will measure %he charge spectra and the energy spectra of
the cosmic radiation as a function of dfstance from the earth,
time and direction. Al?d a?_ncemany of the effects of solar related
phenomena are transmftted via the emissicn of a s o l a r plasma or a
solar wind, scientists f e e l the S-3 1 s o f the greatest importance
in making simultaneous magnetiL f i e l d and plasma measurements,
The cosmic, ray package c o n a f s t s of three basic detection
units: a Double Telescope, a Single Crystal Detector, and a GM
Telescope. The first d e t e c h r is a double scintillati3n-counter
telescope in which the pulse f m m one of two coun5ers is selected
for a given event. Ynis wit provides: the t o t a l cosmic ray flux;
the flux of fast prstom w i t h energies greater than TOO Mev; the
proton differential cne-gy spectran i n t h s saegl.cn 70-750 MeV; and
the low energy portion of the Alpha particle differential energy
spectrum. The double t e l e z t c p e is 20 %r.ches long, has a 2,5
inch diameter; weighs 765 g r m s and requires l,25 watts of power.
When a particle traverm-e ?he two scintillators a
coincidence is formed and %he pulse height from one of the
scintillation counters f s processed by a channel analyzer, Data
is accumulated in the a.nalyzer's magnetic core memory for four
minutes and is then r d out serially, Read-aut is nondestructive.
Channel capacity is ZTg pel. channel,
- 23 -

. -
. . .- . . .. . .. , ,. _.
 In order to extend the proton energy spectra data down
to 1 MeV, a thin cesium iodide scintillation counter is used
as the second detection unit. The pulse height distribution
of the incident particles is obtained in the region 100 Kev
to 20 Mev by means of a sliding channel pulse height analyzer,
which basically determines the size of each pulse and stores
it in an appropriate channel for later transmission to the
ground. The shape of a pulse from a scintillation counter can
be used to distinguish between protons and electrons. This
unit also provides information on low energy solar gamma rays.
This detector, or scintillation counter, is connected t o
an integral discriminator whose bias is furnished by an eight-
level staircase generator. A data accumulator (cosmic ray logic
box) is subcommutated between the eight levels and two Geiger
counter inputs of the GM telescope. In each case the actual
number of counts per unit time is transmitted. Appropriate
identification is also provided for each readout. When one
input of the multi-channel analyzer is readout, the other inputs
are disconnected. This single crystal detector weighs 615 grams,
has a length of 4 inches, a diameter of 2.5 inches and requires
.200 watts of power.
The third unit, called a GM telescope, consi ts of two
geiger counters. One is shielded with 2 grams/cmB of material.
The effective geometric factors of these counters are several
orders of magnitude larger than those in the State University
of Iowa package and are intended to be cosmic ray monitors.
The rate of the shielded, and the coincidence rate of the two
counters is telemetered. These units furnish a check on the
information received from the scintillation counter units.
This unit weighs 400 grams, has a length of 5.2 inches, a diam-
eter of 2.5 Inches and requires .3OO watts of power.
Ion Electron Detector (Goddard Space Flight Center, Leo R. Davis)
This detector will measure particle fluxes, types and
energy as a function of direction, time and position below,
in, and above the V a n Allen Radiation Belts. This detector
is most sensitive to the low energy partlcles which have not
been directly measured to date and yet have been indicated to
be in the inner and outer radiation belts.
The ion-electron scintillation detector consists of a
powder phosphor, on a photo-multiplier tube which is located
behind a stepping absorber wheel. The dc current and pulse
counting rates are measured simultaneously for each absorber
position.
Ion counting rates for two trigger levels are registered
for seven absorber thicknesses from which ion types and energy
spectra can be deduced. In these measurements electrons are
/,

-24-
discriminated a g a i n s t by t h e phosphor thinness (5mg/cm2) and
the phosphor c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e emitted l i g h t decay time
being i n v e r s e l y p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e square of the i o n i z a t i o n
density.
The e l e c t r o n energy f l u x i s obtained by s c a t t e r i n g t h e
i n c i d e n t e l e c t r o n s off a gold p l a t e ( i o n s w i l l be absorbed)
i n t o the phosphored photo-multiplier tube from which dc c u r r e n t s
a r e measured. E l e c t r o n energy s p e c t r a can b e deduced by com-
p a r i n g the responses from s i x absorber t h i c k n e s s e s .
The t o t a l energy f l u x i s obtained f o r seven absorber
t h i c k n e s s e s by measuring t h e p h o t o - m u l t i p l i e r dc c u r r e n t .
The i o n d e t e c t o r i s o p e r a t i v e over the energy range of
100 Kev t o 1 Mev f o r protons w i t h m a x i m u m counting rates of lo5
cps i n each channel.
The e l e c t r o n d e t e c t o r w i t h a dynamic range of lo5 i s
o p e r a t i v e f o r e l e c t r o n s between 10 Kev and 100 Kev. For average
pho3o-multiplier voltage, t h e minimum d e t e c t a b l e energy i s
10' ergs/seconds.
The t o t a l energy f l u x detector w i t h a dynamic range of
105 i s o p e r a t i v e over t h e energy range of 30 Kev t o 1 Mev f o r
protons, and 10 Kev t o 100 Kev f o r e l e c t r o n s . For average values
of ph t o - m u l t i p l i e r voltage, t h e minimum d e t e c t a b l e f l u x i s
2x10-8 ergs/seconds. The d e t e c t o r has a t o t a l weight of 1362
grams and i s housed I n a 5 3/13 x 6 7/8 x 3 1/8 i n c h c o n t a i n e r .
S o l a r C e l l Ekperiment (Coddard Space F l i g h t Center, @.
W.
Longanecker)
This experfment w i l l measure t h e e f f e c t s of the d e t e r i -
o r a t i o n of s o l a r c e l l s caused by d i p e c t exposure t o t h e
r a d i a t i o n i n t h e Van Allen B e l t s .
The experiment c o n s i s t s of f o u r s t r i p s of s i l i c o n s o l a r
c e l l s , w i t h 10 c e l l s p e r s t r i p , mounted on t h e s u r f a c e of the
s p a c e c r a f t . One s t r i p of 10 c e l l s i s unprotected while t h e
remaining three strips are p r o t e c t e d by 3 , 20 and 60 mil
t h i c k g l a s s r e s p e c t i v e l y . During the l i f e of the s p a c e c r a f t
i t w i l l be p o s s i b l e t o compare t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of the
glass f i l t e r s i n preventing degr*adatfon of the s o l a r c e l l s
due t o r a d i a t i o n .
-25-