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Ariel-1

Overview

Ariel-1 was the first in a series of five satellite which carried experiments designed to study the ionosphere and its relationship to solar radiation, including cosmic ray, solar emission and ionospheric experiments.

RAL Space involvement

Ground Station
Focus
Solar and space physics
Partners
NASA, University of Birmingham, University of Southampton, University College London, ESA, Imperial College​
Launch Date
April 1962
Mission End
September 1962

View more missions

Ariel-2

Ariel 2, a British satellite, was the first satellite to be used for radio astronomy. It was launched on a Scout X-3 rocket in America by NASA.

Ariel-3

Ariel 3 was the first all-British satellite to be launched. It conducted five experiments, including measuring galactic noise, electron temperatures and oxygen distribution in the Earth's atmosphere.

Ariel-4

Ariel 4 continued the work of previous Ariel satellites, conducting five similar experiments.

Ariel-5

Ariel 5 carried six experiment payloads, including research into X-rays and photons.
Team member