# Explorer 45

> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q5853417](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5853417)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_45)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/explorer-45

## Summary
Explorer 45 is a NASA Earth observation satellite launched as part of the Explorers Program to monitor the Earth from orbit. Also known by the designations SSS-A and Small Scientific Satellite-A, it was deployed on November 15, 1971.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Explorer 45
- **Alternative Names:** SSS-A, S-Cubed A, Small Scientific Satellite-A
- **Launch Date:** November 15, 1971
- **Program:** Explorers Program
- **Classification:** Earth observation satellite
- **Launch Vehicle:** Scout B rocket
- **Launch Site:** Broglio Space Centre
- **COSPAR ID:** 1971-096A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 05598
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1971-096A

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of Explorer 45?
A: Explorer 45 was designed as an Earth observation satellite. Its purpose was to serve as a scientific platform for observing the Earth from its orbital position as part of NASA's Explorers Program.

### Q: What are the other names for Explorer 45?
A: The satellite is frequently referred to as SSS-A or Small Scientific Satellite-A. It is also known by the alias S-Cubed A.

### Q: When and how was Explorer 45 launched?
A: Explorer 45 was launched on November 15, 1971. It was carried into space by a Scout B rocket model departing from the Broglio Space Centre.

## Why It Matters
Explorer 45 represents a specialized entry in NASA's Explorers Program, a long-standing initiative dedicated to scientific research in space. As an Earth observation satellite, it contributed to the technical lineage of spacecraft designed to monitor the Earth's environment from orbit. Its designation as Small Scientific Satellite-A (SSS-A) marks its role as a specific class of scientific instrument within the broader program.

The mission is significant for its use of the Scout B launch vehicle and its deployment from the Broglio Space Centre, highlighting the specific infrastructure used for scientific missions in the early 1970s. By providing a dedicated platform for orbital observation, Explorer 45 supported the overarching goals of the Explorers Program to expand human knowledge of the Earth and its immediate space environment. Its data and orbital history are preserved through international tracking systems like COSPAR and the NSSDCA, ensuring its contributions remain part of the permanent record of space exploration.

## Notable For
- **Program Designation:** It is a key component of the NASA Explorers Program, which is focused on scientific discovery.
- **Series Identity:** It served as the "Small Scientific Satellite-A" (SSS-A), the first in its specific series.
- **Launch Profile:** The mission utilized the Scout B rocket for deployment from the Broglio Space Centre.
- **International Recognition:** The satellite is documented across multiple languages and international scientific databases, including the Satellite Catalog Number 05598.

## Body

### Mission and Program Context
Explorer 45 is an artificial satellite specifically designed for Earth observation. It operates under the umbrella of the Explorers Program, a NASA initiative that manages a wide array of scientific spacecraft. The satellite is identified in various scientific catalogs as SSS-A, S-Cubed A, and Small Scientific Satellite-A.

### Launch and Orbital Details
The satellite was successfully launched on November 15, 1971. The launch event took place at the Broglio Space Centre, utilizing a Scout B rocket as the launch vehicle. Following its deployment, it was assigned the COSPAR ID 1971-096A and the NSSDCA ID 1971-096A. Its tracking in the Satellite Catalog is maintained under the number 05598.

### Technical Classification
As an instance of an Earth observation satellite, Explorer 45 was built to observe the Earth from a stable orbit. It is categorized as a scientific satellite, a fact reflected in its "Small Scientific Satellite" alias. The mission's technical data is referenced in academic sources and maintained within the Google Knowledge Graph and Wolfram Language systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report