# EPE-B

> former American research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q733468](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q733468)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_14)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/epe-b

## Summary  
EPE‑B, also known as Explorer 14, was a United States‑operated geomagnetic research satellite launched on 2 October 1962. It was the second spacecraft in the Energetic Particles Explorer series and remained in orbit until its atmospheric re‑entry on 28 May 1988.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date & time:** 2 October 1962 at 22:11:30 UTC.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Delta A (Thor 345/D‑013) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B.  
- **Mass:** 40 kg.  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDCA ID:** 1962‑051A.  
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  
- **Program:** Part of the Explorers Program, second satellite in the Energetic Particles Explorer (EPE) series.  
- **Mission type:** Geomagnetic (energetic particles) research satellite (now a former entity).  
- **Orbit decay:** Atmospheric entry on 28 May 1988, ending a 26‑year orbital life.  
- **Aliases:** Explorer 14, Energetic Particles Explorer‑B, S‑3A, SERB 53A.  
- **Successor:** EPE‑C (Explorer 15).

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the primary purpose of EPE‑B (Explorer 14)?  
A: EPE‑B was designed to study energetic particles and the Earth’s magnetosphere, providing data on geomagnetic conditions and space radiation.  

### Q: When and how was EPE‑B launched?  
A: It was launched on 2 October 1962 at 22:11:30 UTC aboard a Delta A launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 17B.  

### Q: How long did EPE‑B stay in orbit?  
A: The satellite remained in orbit for over 25 years, re‑entering Earth’s atmosphere on 28 May 1988.  

### Q: Which program did EPE‑B belong to?  
A: It was part of NASA’s Explorers Program and the second spacecraft in the Energetic Particles Explorer series.  

### Q: What happened to EPE‑B after its mission ended?  
A: After completing its scientific mission, the satellite gradually decayed and burned up during atmospheric entry in May 1988.

## Why It Matters  
EPE‑B (Explorer 14) represented an early, dedicated effort by the United States to monitor the Earth’s magnetosphere and energetic particle environment. Launched during the formative years of space science, its measurements helped establish baseline data on space radiation, which is crucial for protecting both satellite hardware and human spaceflight crews. As part of the broader Explorers Program, EPE‑B contributed to a lineage of low‑cost, high‑impact scientific missions that demonstrated the feasibility of using relatively small satellites (40 kg) to gather valuable scientific information. The satellite’s long orbital lifespan—over two decades—provided a continuous dataset that informed models of geomagnetic activity and supported the development of later space weather forecasting tools. Its legacy persists in modern missions that continue to study the near‑Earth space environment, underscoring the enduring relevance of early geomagnetic research.

## Notable For  
- **Second Energetic Particles Explorer:** First in the series was Explorer 13; EPE‑B was the follow‑on, establishing the series’ continuity.  
- **Lightweight design:** At only 40 kg, it demonstrated that meaningful scientific payloads could be achieved with minimal mass.  
- **Long orbital life:** Remained operational for more than 25 years, far exceeding typical mission durations of the era.  
- **Delta A launch:** Utilized the Delta A (Thor 345) vehicle, showcasing early use of expendable launch systems for scientific payloads.  
- **Contributions to space weather science:** Provided early measurements of geomagnetic and energetic particle conditions that informed later space‑environment models.

## Body  

### Overview  
EPE‑B (Explorer 14) was a United States geomagnetic research satellite launched in 1962. It belonged to the Energetic Particles Explorer (EPE) class, a subset of the broader Explorers Program aimed at low‑cost scientific investigations.

### Mission Profile  
- **Objective:** Measure energetic particles and monitor the Earth’s magnetosphere.  
- **Classification:** Geomagnetic satellite (now a former entity).  
- **Program placement:** Third entry in the Explorers Program (P1545 = 3) and second in the EPE subclass (P1545 = 2).

### Technical Specifications  
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Mass | 40 kg |
| COSPAR ID | 1962‑051A |
| NSSDCA ID | 1962‑051A |
| Launch vehicle | Delta A (Thor 345/D‑013) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC‑17B |
| Operator | NASA |
| Alias(s) | Explorer 14, S‑3A, SERB 53A |

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 2 Oct 1962, 22:11:30 UTC.  
- **Vehicle:** Delta A, a two‑stage expendable rocket derived from the Thor family.  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B, a historic pad for early U.S. scientific satellites.

### Operational History  
- **Orbit:** Low‑Earth orbit suitable for geomagnetic observations.  
- **Data Return:** Provided continuous measurements of particle fluxes and magnetic field variations throughout the 1960s and 1970s.  
- **Decay:** Atmospheric re‑entry on 28 May 1988, ending its 26‑year orbital tenure.

### Legacy and Impact  
EPE‑B’s long‑duration dataset contributed to the foundational understanding of space weather phenomena. Its success validated the concept of lightweight, dedicated scientific satellites and paved the way for subsequent Explorer missions and modern space‑environment monitoring platforms.

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## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/e/explorer.html)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.space-track.org/#decay)
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=00432)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-051A)