Communications Satellite, Echo 1
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Object Details
- Manufacturer
- G. T. Schjeldahl Co.
- North American Aviation Inc.
- Summary
- Launched in 1960, Echo 1 served as one of the first attempts to assess requirements and techniques for conducting communications via space. The satellite was a remarkably simple device: A reflective sphere 30 meters (100 feet) in diameter. Serving as a "mirror" in space, signals directed at the satellite from one location on Earth reflected back down to another location. By the time Echo 2 launched in 1964, other types of communications satellites had proven superior, and researchers used the Echos primarily for scientific experiments.
- Echo satellites posed a unique technical challenge. They were essentially balloons sent into orbit folded flat and then inflated in space. Inflation had to proceed carefully to ensure the integrity of the satellite's surface.
- This artifact is a flight spare folded in its launch canister, transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1979. Next to it is a final-stage rocket for carrying the satellite to its orbit.
- Credit Line
- Transferred from NASA, Langley Research Center
- Inventory Number
- A19791315000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Communications
- Materials
- Aluminum, Foam, Cadmium Plating, Steel, Plastic, Magnesium, Epoxy, Copper, Paint, Phenolic Resin, Rubber (Silicone)
- Dimensions
- Overall: 3048.01cm (100ft)
- Overall: 71.12 x 90.17cm (2ft 4in. x 2ft 11 1/2in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19791315000
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv99beb1349-5f5e-47c1-8e20-f3aa40dc3656
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