# EPE-C

> former American research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1166037](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1166037)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_15)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/epe-c

## Summary
EPE-C, also known as Explorer 15, was a former American research satellite launched on October 27, 1962, as part of the Energetic Particles Explorer series. This satellite was designed to study energetic particles in space and operated for over 15 years before re-entering Earth's atmosphere in 1978.

## Key Facts
- EPE-C was launched on October 27, 1962, at 23:15:01 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B
- It had a mass of 44.4 kilograms
- The satellite was part of the Explorers Program and designated as Explorer 15
- It was the third satellite in the Energetic Particles Explorer series
- EPE-C was launched using a Delta A rocket with the designation Thor 346/D-014
- Its COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID are both 1962-059A
- The satellite re-entered Earth's atmosphere on January 15, 1978
- EPE-C was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- It was preceded by EPE-B and followed by Explorer 16 in the program

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of EPE-C?
A: EPE-C was designed to study energetic particles in space as part of scientific research during the early space exploration era. It contributed to understanding particle radiation and its effects in Earth's environment.

### Q: How long was EPE-C in space?
A: EPE-C remained in orbit for approximately 15 years, 3 months after its launch on October 27, 1962, until it re-entered Earth's atmosphere on January 15, 1978.

### Q: What alternative names did EPE-C have?
A: EPE-C was also known as Explorer 15, Energetic Particles Explorer-C, S-3B, and SERB 53B, with its NASA designation being 1962 Beta Lambda 1.

### Q: Which spacecraft preceded and followed EPE-C?
A: EPE-C was preceded by EPE-B and was followed by Explorer 16 in the Explorers Program sequence.

### Q: What was the launch configuration for EPE-C?
A: EPE-C was launched using a Delta A rocket (with the designation Thor 346/D-014) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B on October 27, 1962.

## Why It Matters
EPE-C represents an important milestone in early space exploration and scientific research. As part of the Energetic Particles Explorer series, it contributed significantly to our understanding of space radiation and its effects on Earth's environment at a time when such knowledge was crucial for developing future space missions. This satellite's long operational period (over 15 years) provided valuable long-term data about space particles that helped scientists model and predict space weather phenomena. The information gathered by EPE-C and its sister missions in the Energetic Particles Explorer series were essential for developing protective measures for astronauts and electronic equipment in space, laying groundwork for future satellite design and space mission planning.

## Notable For
- Being the third satellite in the Energetic Particles Explorer series after EPE-B
- Having one of the longer operational lifespans among early research satellites (15+ years)
- Contributing to the study of energetic particles in space during a critical period of space exploration
- Launching on one of the early Delta A rockets from Cape Canaveral
- Being designated as Explorer 15 in the NASA Explorers Program

## Body
### Satellite Details
EPE-C, officially designated as Explorer 15, was a research satellite that operated from October 27, 1962, to January 15, 1978. It was part of the Energetic Particles Explorer series, specifically the third satellite in this series. The satellite had multiple alternative names including Energetic Particles Explorer-C, S-3B, and SERB 53B, with its NASA designation being 1962 Beta Lambda 1.

### Physical Characteristics
EPE-C had a mass of 44.4 kilograms, making it a relatively small satellite by modern standards but typical for early space exploration missions. The satellite was designed to study energetic particles in space, contributing to scientific understanding of space radiation phenomena.

### Launch Information
The satellite was launched on October 27, 1962, at 23:15:01 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B. It was carried into orbit using a Delta A rocket with the specific designation Thor 346/D-014. This launch vehicle configuration was an early iteration of the Delta family of expendable launch vehicles.

### Operational History
EPE-C operated in space for approximately 15 years and 3 months before re-entering Earth's atmosphere on January 15, 1978. During its operational lifetime, the satellite collected valuable data about energetic particles in space, contributing to scientific research in this field. The satellite was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of their broader Explorers Program.

### Program Context
EPE-C was part of the Explorers Program, where it was designated as Explorer 15. It was preceded by EPE-B and followed by Explorer 16 in the program's sequence. The satellite had the COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID of 1962-059A, which are standard identifiers used by the space research community to track space objects.

### Documentation and Recognition
The satellite has been documented in various scientific and historical records, with articles about it available in multiple languages including Czech, English, French, Galician, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Slovak on Wikipedia. It has a sitelink count of 8, indicating that it has been referenced in 8 different Wikipedia articles, reflecting its importance in space exploration history.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "EPE-C (Explorer 15)",
  "description": "Former American research satellite launched in 1962 to study energetic particles in space",
  "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-059A",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q569111",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_15"
  ],
  "additionalType": "research satellite",
  "identifier": [
    "1962-059A",
    "1962 Beta Lambda 1",
    "00445"
  ],
  "launchDate": "1962-10-27",
  "endDate": "1978-01-15",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "44.4",
    "unitCode": "KGM"
  },
  "manufacturer": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration",
  "launchVehicle": "Delta A",
  "orbitalParameters": {
    "reentryDate": "1978-01-15"
  }
}

## 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=00445)
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-059A)