# Ariel 3

> atmospheric research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q795233](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q795233)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ariel-3

## Summary
Ariel 3 was an atmospheric research satellite and artificial satellite of the Earth launched on May 5, 1967. Weighing 89.8 kilograms, it was operated jointly by the Science and Engineering Research Council and NASA as part of the Ariel programme. The satellite conducted research until its retirement in September 1969 and subsequently decayed from orbit on December 14, 1970.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** May 5, 1967
- **Mass:** 89.8 kilograms
- **Operators:** Science and Engineering Research Council; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5
- **Launch Vehicle:** Scout A (specific variant S155C)
- **Mission End:** Retired September 1969; atmospheric entry occurred December 14, 1970
- **Classification:** Artificial satellite of the Earth; Atmospheric research satellite
- **COSPAR ID:** 1967-042A
- **Alternate Names:** UK-3, UK 3, UK3, Ariel-3, UK-E, S-53, S53

## FAQs
### Q: What was Ariel 3?
A: Ariel 3 was an atmospheric research satellite designed to orbit the Earth. It was part of the broader Ariel programme and was succeeded by Ariel 4.

### Q: When was Ariel 3 launched and how long did it operate?
A: Ariel 3 was launched on May 5, 1967, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5. It was officially retired in September 1969 and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on December 14, 1970.

### Q: Who operated the Ariel 3 satellite?
A: The satellite was operated by the Science and Engineering Research Council and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

## Why It Matters
Ariel 3 serves as a historical example of international cooperation in space exploration, operated jointly by the United Kingdom's Science and Engineering Research Council and the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As part of the Ariel programme, it contributed to the scientific understanding of the Earth's atmosphere during the late 1960s. Weighing 89.8 kg, the satellite represents the technological capabilities of that era, utilizing the Scout A launch vehicle to reach orbit. Its lifecycle—from its launch in May 1967 to its service retirement in 1969 and final orbital decay in 1970—provides a complete case study for the operational lifespan of early low-Earth orbit research satellites.

## Notable For
- Being an atmospheric research satellite within the Ariel programme.
- Joint operation by the Science and Engineering Research Council and NASA.
- Launching aboard a Scout A rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5.
- Having multiple aliases including UK-3, S-53, and Ariel-3.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Ariel 3 functioned as an artificial satellite of the Earth with a primary designation for atmospheric research. It followed the Ariel 2 satellite in the Ariel programme and was succeeded by Ariel 4.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass:** The satellite had a total mass of 89.8 kilograms.
- **Identifiers:** It held the COSPAR ID 1967-042A and the NSSDCA ID 1967-042A. The Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) was 02773.
- **Nomenclature:** The satellite was known by several aliases, including UK-3, UK 3, UK3, Ariel-3, UK-E, S-53, and S53.

### Operational History
- **Launch:** The satellite was launched on May 5, 1967, using a Scout A rocket (variant S155C) from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5.
- **Service:** Ariel 3 operated until its service retirement in September 1969.
- **Decay:** The satellite's orbit decayed, resulting in atmospheric entry on December 14, 1970.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ariel 3",
  "description": "Atmospheric research satellite launched on May 5, 1967, operated by the Science and Engineering Research Council and NASA.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2379858",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_3"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Artificial Satellite"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-042A)