- Explorer 8
Infobox_Spacecraft
Name = Explorer 8
Organization =NASA
Major_Contractors =Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mission_Type =Earth science
Satellite_Of =Earth
Launch =November 3 ,1960 at 05:16 UTC
Launch_Vehicle =Jupiter-C
Mission_Duration = 54 days
NSSDC_ID = 1960-014A
Webpage = [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1960-014A NASA NSSDC Master Catalog]
Mass = 40.88 kg
Eccentricity = .120936
Inclination = 33.24°
Orbital_Period = 112.7 minutes
Apoapsis = 2,288 km
Periapsis = 417 kmExplorer 8 (1960-014A) is a U.S. research satellite launched on
November 3 ,1960 . It confirmed the existence of ahelium layer in the upper atmosphere. [cite web
url = http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/fact_sheets/spacesci/explorers.htm
title = Explorers: Searching the Universe Forty Years Later
accessdate = 2008-02-03
work = NASA Fact Sheets
publisher =Goddard Space Flight Center ,NASA ] Explorer 8 is still inLow Earth orbit . While no longer functional, in 2006 it unexpectedly received the world's attention as an example of the space junk that has been deployed with the lack of responsibility. [cite web
url = http://www.sustdev.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1593
title = Global warming prolongs life of space debris
accessdate = 2008-02-04
date = 2006-12-13
Sustainable Development International]References
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