Orba (satellite)

Orba (X-2)
Operator RAE
Mission type Atmospheric
Launch date 2 September 1970
Carrier rocket Black Arrow R2
Launch site LA-5B, Woomera
Mission duration Failed to reach orbit
Orbital elements
Regime LEO (intended)

Orba, also known as X-2, was intended to be the first satellite launched by a British rocket. It was launched at 00:34 GMT on 2 September 1970, atop a Black Arrow rocket from Launch Area 5B at Woomera, but failed to reach orbit after the second stage of the carrier rocket shut down 13 seconds early.[1] Orba was built from spare parts due to funding restrictions,[2] and was to have been used to measure upper atmosphere density by monitoring the decay of its orbit.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wade, Mark. "Black Arrow". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/blaarrow.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-28. 
  2. ^ Hill, Nicholas. "Black Arrow". A Vertical Empire. Space UK. http://www.spaceuk.org/ba/ba.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-28. 
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Orba (X 2)". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/orba.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-28. 
Black Arrow rockets
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Components
Payloads
Orba · R2 Instrument Package | Prospero
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