# DME

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q49883](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49883)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_31)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dme

## Summary
DME (Direct Measurement Explorer), also known as Explorer 31 or DME-A, is an American Earth observation satellite launched into orbit on 1965-11-29. It was placed into orbit from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 aboard a Thor-Agena B launch vehicle and is catalogued under COSPAR ID 1965-098B.

## Key Facts
- DME is an Earth observation satellite (instance_of: Earth observation satellite).
- Common names: Direct Measurement Explorer; Explorer 31; DME-A.
- COSPAR identifier: 1965-098B.
- Launch date: 1965-11-29.
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- Launch vehicle: Thor-Agena B.
- SCN (spacecraft number) value: 01806.
- Wikipedia title: Explorer 31; available in at least these languages: en, es, fr, gl, pl, pt, vi.
- Sitelink count (across Wikimedia projects): 7.
- Related/predecessor or successor entry listed: Solrad 8 (NASA artificial satellite).

## FAQs
### Q: What is DME?
A: DME (Direct Measurement Explorer) is an American Earth observation satellite also designated Explorer 31 and DME-A. It was launched into orbit on 29 November 1965.

### Q: When and where was DME launched?
A: DME was launched on 1965-11-29 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2. The launch vehicle was a Thor-Agena B rocket.

### Q: Is DME the same as Explorer 31?
A: Yes. DME is an alias for Explorer 31; the satellite is commonly referred to as Direct Measurement Explorer, Explorer 31, or DME-A.

### Q: What identifiers are used for DME?
A: Notable identifiers include COSPAR ID 1965-098B and SCN value 01806. Its Wikipedia page title is Explorer 31.

## Why It Matters
DME is part of the fleet of artificial satellites developed to observe Earth from orbit. As an Earth observation satellite launched in 1965, it contributed to the early era of systematic orbital measurements and observations operated by U.S. programs. Its launch from Vandenberg on a Thor-Agena B places it within the context of mid-1960s U.S. space activity and the broader Explorer-series naming convention (Explorer 31). The satellite’s formal identifiers (COSPAR 1965-098B, SCN 01806) and cataloging across multiple Wikimedia language pages reflect its recognition and documentation in spaceflight records. For researchers, historians, and data curators, DME serves as a documented data point in the development of Earth observation capabilities and the operational use of Thor-Agena B launch vehicles from Vandenberg.

## Notable For
- Being an Earth observation satellite launched in 1965 under the name Direct Measurement Explorer (Explorer 31 / DME-A).
- Launch on 1965-11-29 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- Use of the Thor-Agena B orbital launch vehicle.
- Official cataloging with COSPAR ID 1965-098B and SCN 01806.
- Presence on Wikimedia projects with a Wikipedia page titled Explorer 31 (available in multiple languages).

## Body

### Identity and names
- Primary name: Direct Measurement Explorer (DME).
- Alternate names: Explorer 31; DME-A.
- Wikipedia title recorded as: Explorer 31.
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/1218rjlq.
- Wikimedia sitelink_count: 7.
- Wikipedia languages listed: English, Spanish, French, Galician, Polish, Portuguese, Vietnamese.

### Classification and purpose
- Classified as an Earth observation satellite.
- Described in the structured data as an artificial satellite specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit.

### Launch details
- Launch date (point in time): 1965-11-29.
- Launch site / start_point: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- Launch vehicle: Thor-Agena B.
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 on 1965-11-29.

### Identifiers and cataloging
- COSPAR ID: 1965-098B.
- SCN (spacecraft number): 01806.
- Wikidata description: satellite.
- Image resource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Explorer_31_(DME_A).jpg

### Relationships
- Related classes: Earth observation satellite (class); Thor-Agena B (launch vehicle class).
- Preceded/succeeded entries listed include Solrad 8 (NASA artificial satellite).

### Documentation and references
- Structured properties reference entries were recorded (e.g., launch and vehicle entries referenced to dataset Q6272367 and Q8449 where noted in the source material).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report