ESRO 2B (Iris 2), the first European Space Research Organisation satellite to reach orbit, studying solar X-rays and cosmic rays. Scout B from Vandenberg SLC-5 lofted it on 17 May 1968 into a highly elliptical near-polar orbit after the failed ESRO-2A attempt in 1967.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- PO
- Polar orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 74 kg
- Flight
- 11th
- of 20 Scout B flights
- Date and time
- 17 May 1968, 02:06 UTC
- Rocket
- Scout B
- Builder
- Vought
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 5, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
- Payload
- Astrophysics
- International designator
- 1968-041
- Launches in 1968
- 44th of 128
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
View satellites in Space Atlas