GRS (CRL 1)

GRS [CRL]

GRS (Geophysical Research Satellite) was a geophysics experiment test built by the Cambridge Research Lab (CRL). Data was obtained for 13 orbits, after which time the satellite ceased working due to a failure in the primary power supply.

It carried three experiments:

  • Aerospace Composition
    A magnetic mass spectrometer was flown to measure the distributions of the ion species in the topside ionosphere between 420 and 1200 km. All species having mass-to-charge ratios from 1 to 32 could be measured.
  • Retarding Potential Analyzer
    The instrumentation for this experiment included a retarding potential analyzer that, through proper sequencing of appropriate voltages, was sensitive to photoelectrons having energies of up to 60 eV, positive ions of up to 30 eV.
  • Personal Hazards Associated with Space Radiation
Nation: USA
Type / Application: Science, geophysics
Operator: US Air Force (USAF) Cambridge Research Lab (AFCRL)
Contractors: US Air Force Cambridge Research Lab (AFCRL)
Equipment:
Configuration:
Propulsion:
Power: Batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 99 kg
Orbit: 411 km × 1311 km, 49.7
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
GRS (CRL 1, PL 19) 1963-026A 28.06.1963 WI LA-3 Scout-X4

Launch Sites:

  • WI =   Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia, USA   USA
Further CRL missions:

Cite this page: