Ariel 1 (UK-1 / S-51), the first British satellite, launched on a Thor DM-19 Delta from Cape Canaveral LC-17A on 26 April 1962. Joint SERC/NASA ionospheric and solar-radiation research craft that made the UK the third nation with a satellite in orbit.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- LEO
- Low Earth orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 62 kg
- Flight
- 9th
- of 12 Thor Delta flights
- Date and time
- 26 April 1962, 18:00 UTC
- Rocket
- Thor Delta
- Builder
- McDonnell Douglas
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Payload
- Earth Science
- International designator
- 1962-015
- Launches in 1962
- 18th of 81
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
Object pages on Space Atlas: Ariel 1
View satellites in Space Atlas