Object Details
- Manufacturer
- G. T. Schjeldahl Co.
- Grumman Aircraft, Inc.
- Summary
- During the late 1950s and early 1960s, researchers considered two possible technologies for space satellite communications. One was "active" satellites, designed to receive a signal, amplify it, and then transmit it back to earth. This technique became the basis for the communications satellites prevalent today.
- "Passive" satellites, such as Echo, were also briefly considered. This type of satellite only served as a reflective surface: signals transmitted from the Earth were bounced back to the ground. While Echo had the advantage of simplicity, active satellites quickly surpassed the limited range of communications possible from a reflective surface in space. Echo 1 was launched in 1960 and Echo 2 in 1964. By the time of the second Echo, active communications satellites had clearly demostrated their much greater capabilities and the passive satellite was used primarily for scientific experiments.
- The Echo satellites did pose a unique technical challenge. They were essentially balloons which were sent into orbit folded flat and then inflated. When inflated, Echo 1 was a 100 foot sphere; Echo 2 was a slightly larger 135 foot sphere. The inflation had to proceed carefully to ensure the integrity of the satellite.
- The Museum's artifact is a prototype of Echo 2.
- Credit Line
- Transferred from NASA
- Inventory Number
- A19731560000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed
- Materials
- Mylar polyester, aluminum film
- Dimensions
- Overall (spacecraft, inflated): 135 ft. tall x 135 ft. wide, 375 lb. (4114.8 x 4114.8cm, 170.1kg)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19731560000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9fa220e8c-15e3-4591-b8e4-5b29d26770da
