The MSS A (Magnetic Storm Satellite) was an 36 kg, spin-stabilized spacecraft with a 4000 bps telemetry rate, which was jointly developed by the USAF's AFCRL and NASA's Explorer program.
The USAF was to provide the spacecraft and the instruments. The objective of MSS A was to verify and clarify the magnetic storm and auroral mechanisms and related phenomena by direct measurements in the inner magnetosphere of the low-energy proton and electron flux, the vector magnetic field, and the electric field.
This mission was to be launched in late 1970 or early 1971 on a Scout booster from Wallops Island, but was cancelled.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Research, Magnetosphere |
| Operator: | AFCRL, NASA |
| Contractors: | Avco Systems Division |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | |
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| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 36 kg |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer (MSS A) | - | not launched | WI LA-3A | Scout-B ? |