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 (this artifact) via a spring mechanism pushed a canister, 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
- A20040113000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads
- Materials
- Aluminum, copper, plastic.
- Dimensions
- Overall: 5 in. high x 5 in. wide x 25 3/4 in. long, 23lb. weight (12.7 x 12.7 x 65.41cm, 10.4kg)
- 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_A20040113000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9a715c0e3-a84d-4cf6-985c-51ade31cd26d
