Explorer 6 (S-2), a NASA Earth-science satellite, launched on a Thor-Able III from Cape Canaveral LC-17A on 7 August 1959. From a highly elliptical orbit it studied radiation belts and geomagnetism and returned the first photograph of Earth from a satellite on 14 August.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- Elliptical
- Elliptical orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 42 kg (est.)
- Flight
- 1st
- Only Thor Able III flight
- Date and time
- 7 August 1959, 14:24 UTC
- Rocket
- Thor Able III
- Builder
- McDonnell Douglas
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Payload
- Earth Science
- International designator
- 1959-004
- Launches in 1959
- 12th of 23
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
Object pages on Space Atlas: Explorer 6
View satellites in Space Atlas