Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory
- Summary
- Launched by the U.S. Air Force in 1963, the West Ford satellite used a unique concept to test the new undertaking of communications from space. Once in space, the dispenser via a spring mechanism pushed the canister (this artifact), packed with millions of tiny needles (dipoles), into orbit. The needles in the canister slowly separated and formed a ring around the Earth. Antennas on the ground bounced radio signals off the ring of needles to communicate.
- The museum's satellite is a prototype.
- Transferred from the National Museum of American History to the Museum in 2004.
- Credit Line
- Transferred from the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History
- Inventory Number
- A20040113001
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads
- Materials
- Plastic, copper, aluminum
- Dimensions
- Overall: 8.89 high x 13.97 wide x 13.97cm deep, 5.4kg weight (3 1/2in. x 5 1/2in. x 5 1/2in., 12lb.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- Hangar
- James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A20040113001
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv910a08f7e-88ad-4650-ae03-970aef7d436e
