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Recorder, Tape, Explorer 3

National Air and Space Museum

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Object Details

Manufacturer
University of Iowa
Summary
This miniaturized tape recorder is a flight spare (backup) for one that flew on Explorer 3, launched on 26 March 1958. Data were saved on tape until they could be transmitted to a ground station that could accept telemetry data. These data included measurements of the distribution of cosmic ray intensity, micrometeorites, and temperature and they confirmed the existence of the Van Allen Radiation Belt, a huge area of charged particles that circles the earth. This first tape recorder to be flown on a satellite was designed and built by the Department of Physics at the University of Iowa under James Van Allen's supervision. He donated the flight spare to the Smithsonian Institution in 1968 along with a presentation mounting and provenance. It was refurbished at the University of Iowa in 1981 and was returned to the collection in 1982.
Credit Line
Gift of the University of Iowa
Inventory Number
A19700332000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads
Materials
Shell: gold plated metal
Dimensions
Overall: 2 1/2 in. tall x 3 in. wide (6.4 x 7.6cm)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Space Science
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19700332000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv90aea942e-668f-40d3-b2d6-688e5ee1943c

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