ISEE-2

The International Sun-Earth Explorer 2 (ISEE-2 a.k.a. ISEE-B)[1] was a space probe used to study magnetic fields near the Earth. ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 were launched on October 22, 1977, and they re-entered on September 26, 1987.[2] The instruments on board ISEE-2 were designed to measure electric and magnetic field properties.

International Sun-Earth Explorer 2

ISEE-2
Names	ISEE-2 ISEE-B
Mission type	Study of the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind
Operator	ESA / NASA
COSPAR ID	1977-102A
SATCAT no.	10423
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Dornier-System GmbH
Launch mass	340 kg (750 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	13:53, October 22, 1977 (UTC) (1977-10-22T13:53Z)
Rocket	Delta-2914
Launch site	Cape Canaveral LC-17B
End of mission
Disposal	Re-entry
Decay date	September 26, 1987 (1987-09-26)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Eccentricity	0.91
Perigee altitude	1.04 Earth radii
Apogee altitude	23 Earth radii
Inclination	28.76°
Period	3556.8
Epoch	October 22, 1977

ISEE-2 had a thruster to adjust the spacing between the two spacecraft, depending on desired goal.[3] Early results from duo stated that by having two spacecraft, the "spatial and temporal variations in the magnetosphere and solar wind" could be detected.[3]

Mission

The space probe was part of a program consisting of three spacecraft: a mother/daughter pair (ISEE-1 and ISEE-2) and the ISEE-3 spacecraft (later renamed to International Cometary Explorer). The program was a cooperative mission between NASA and ESRO (later ESA) designed to study the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind. At least 32 institutions were involved, and the focus was on understanding magnetic fields.[4] ISEE-1 (a.k.a. Explorer 56) and ISEE-3 were built by NASA, while ISEE-2 was built by ESA. All three had complementary instruments supported by the same group of over 100 scientists.[4]

ISEE-3 was launched the following year, later renamed ICE, and was noted for being contacted in the 2010s from Earth

Technical

• ISEE-2 was spun at rate of 19.8 rpm[1]
• Its solar panels produced 112 watts at launch[1]
• Standard data rate was 2048 bit/s[1]
• Had thruster to adjust its distance from ISEE-1[3]

See also

• ISEE-1
• International Cometary Explorer (ISEE-3, launched the following year)
• 1977 in spaceflight
• List of heliophysics missions
• European Space Research Organisation
• Van Allen Probes (Double spacecraft mission of the 2010s)

References

2. "NASA - NSSDC - Spacecraft - Details". Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
4. "ISEE - eoPortal Directory - Satellite Missions". Directory.eoportal.org. Retrieved 2014-03-12.