04327 - SERT 2

The SERT 2A spacecraft provided the first orbital test of electron bombardment ion engines. A SERT 1 suborbital flight in July 1964 was the first test in space. There were two test thrusters -- each employed a vaporized mercury propellant and generated about 0.006 lb thrust. Because of limited power of 1000 w from solar cells, only one thruster was operated at a time. The Lewis Research Center was responsible for both the spacecraft and launch vehicle.

Alternate Names

SERT 2A8

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1970-02-04
Launch Vehicle: Thor-Agena
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 1404.0 kg