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4 October 1964, 03:45 UTC

Explorer 21

Thor Delta CCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Drawing of the Thor Delta C for Explorer 21

Explorer 21 (IMP-2 / Interplanetary Monitoring Platform B), a NASA magnetospheric and solar-wind research satellite. Thor Delta C from Cape Canaveral launched it on 4 October 1964 into a lower-than-planned highly elliptical orbit after a partial upper-stage shortfall; it still returned useful data into 1965.

Outcome
Success
Orbit
Elliptical
Elliptical orbit
Payload to orbit
62 kg
Flight
2nd
of 10 Thor Delta C flights
Date and time
4 October 1964, 03:45 UTC
Builder
McDonnell Douglas
Launch site
Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Payload
Astrophysics
International designator
1964-060
Launches in 1964
70th of 100

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