Ariel 1

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General

Designation	00285 / 62015A
Launch date	26 Apr 1962
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Mission	Scientific: ionosphere study
Perigee/Apogee	398/1203 km
Inclination	53.8°
Period	100.8 min
Launch vehicle	Thor Delta #9

First UK satellite

The satellite failed four days after the US detonated a 1.4 megaton nuclear warhead, in an experiment known as Starfish Prime, high in the atmosphere 400 kilometres (250 miles) above the Pacific Ocean.

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End of life

Decay

24 May 1976

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