# Charge Composition Explorer

> NASA satellite in the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q2957726](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2957726)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMPTE-CCE)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charge-composition-explorer

## Summary
The Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) was a NASA satellite launched in 1984 as part of the Explorer program, designed to study Earth's magnetosphere and related regions. It was part of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) mission and operated until 1989 when it failed due to a power supply issue.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Geomagnetic satellite
- **Launch Date**: August 16, 1984, at 14:48 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta 3000 (D-175)
- **Mass**: 242 kilograms
- **Mission Duration**: Operated until July 12, 1989, when it failed due to a power supply issue
- **Manufacturer**: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (general contractor), with subcontractors including the University of Maryland, Lockheed Corporation, and TRW Inc.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array with a capacity of 140 watts
- **Principal Investigator**: Stamatios Krimigis
- **Part of**: Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) mission
- **Preceded by**: Solar Mesosphere Explorer (Explorer 64)
- **Followed by**: Cosmic Background Explorer (Explorer 66) and the United Kingdom Subsatellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Charge Composition Explorer?
A: The Charge Composition Explorer was designed to study Earth's magnetosphere and related regions, particularly focusing on charged particles and their interactions.

### Q: Who launched the Charge Composition Explorer?
A: The Charge Composition Explorer was launched by NASA as part of the Explorer program.

### Q: When did the Charge Composition Explorer fail?
A: The Charge Composition Explorer failed on July 12, 1989, due to a power supply issue.

### Q: What was the mass of the Charge Composition Explorer?
A: The Charge Composition Explorer had a mass of 242 kilograms.

### Q: What was the power source for the Charge Composition Explorer?
A: The Charge Composition Explorer was powered by a spacecraft solar array with a capacity of 140 watts.

## Why It Matters
The Charge Composition Explorer played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and the behavior of charged particles within it. As part of the AMPTE mission, it provided valuable data that contributed to the broader scientific understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth's environment. Its findings helped researchers develop better models for predicting space weather events, which can impact satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids. The mission also demonstrated the importance of international collaboration in space exploration, as it was part of a joint effort involving NASA and other institutions. Despite its early failure, the Charge Composition Explorer's data continues to be analyzed and referenced in scientific research.

## Notable For
- **Part of the AMPTE Mission**: The Charge Composition Explorer was a key component of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers mission, which included three satellites working together to study Earth's magnetosphere.
- **Geomagnetic Satellite**: It was specifically designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and related regions, making it a specialized type of satellite.
- **Power Supply Failure**: Its failure in 1989 due to a power supply issue highlighted the challenges of long-duration space missions and the importance of reliable power systems.
- **Contribution to Space Weather Research**: The data collected by the Charge Composition Explorer contributed significantly to our understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth's environment.
- **International Collaboration**: The mission involved collaboration between NASA and other institutions, demonstrating the value of international cooperation in space exploration.

## Body
### Overview
The Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) was a NASA satellite launched on August 16, 1984, as part of the Explorer program. It was designed to study Earth's magnetosphere and related regions, with a particular focus on charged particles and their interactions. The satellite was part of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) mission, which included three satellites working together to gather comprehensive data on Earth's magnetosphere.

### Technical Specifications
The Charge Composition Explorer had a mass of 242 kilograms and was powered by a spacecraft solar array with a capacity of 140 watts. It was manufactured by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, with subcontractors including the University of Maryland, Lockheed Corporation, and TRW Inc. The satellite was launched using a Delta 3000 (D-175) rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.

### Mission Details
The primary investigator for the Charge Composition Explorer was Stamatios Krimigis. The mission aimed to provide detailed observations of charged particles in Earth's magnetosphere, contributing to our understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth's environment. The data collected by the satellite was part of a broader effort to improve space weather prediction models.

### Mission End
The Charge Composition Explorer operated until July 12, 1989, when it failed due to a power supply issue. Despite its early termination, the mission provided valuable data that continues to be analyzed and referenced in scientific research. The satellite's failure highlighted the challenges of long-duration space missions and the importance of reliable power systems.

### Legacy
The Charge Composition Explorer's contributions to space weather research and its role in the AMPTE mission have made it a notable entity in the field of space exploration. Its data has been used to develop better models for predicting space weather events, which can impact satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids. The mission also demonstrated the value of international collaboration in space exploration, as it involved partnerships between NASA and other institutions.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.jhuapl.edu/content/techdigest/pdf/V05-N04/05-04-McCloskey.pdf)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_cce.htm)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1984-088A)