Explorer 9 (S-56A), a NASA 12-foot inflatable balloon satellite for atmospheric density measurements, launched on a Scout X-1 from Wallops Island—the first successful orbital launch by a Scout rocket and a reflight of the failed December 1960 S-56.
- Outcome
- Success
- Payload to orbit
- 6 kg
- Flight
- 2nd
- of 4 Scout X-1 flights
- Date and time
- 16 February 1961, 13:05 UTC
- Rocket
- Scout X-1
- Builder
- Vought
- Launch site
- Launch Area 3, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
- Payload
- Unknown
- International designator
- 1961-004
- Launches in 1961
- 4th of 50
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
View satellites in Space Atlas