posted 06-26-2015 03:02 PM               

Space Cover #323: SEASAT-A Launch

The Space Cover of the Week commemorates the launch of SEASAT-A on June 26, 1978 aboard an Atlas-Agena launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB, Ca. SEASAT-A was a "proof-of-concept" mission to determine if microwave instruments scanning the oceans from space can provide useful scientific data for oceanographers and commercial users of the sea. Goddard Space Flight Center provided tracking, altitude determination and the operations control center.

A massive short circuit in the satellite's electrical system ended the mission on October 10, 1978 due to a failure of one of the slip ring assemblies that connect the solar array to the power subsystem.

Goddard Space Flight Center stamp club serviced 500 covers for this launch.