# Explorer 9

> American satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q49897](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49897)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_9)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/explorer-9

## Summary
Explorer 9 is an American artificial satellite, also known by the alias S-56A. It was launched on February 16, 1961, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) using a Scout X-1 launch vehicle from Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** February 16, 1961
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- **Launch Vehicle:** Scout X-1
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-004A
- **Alias:** S-56A
- **Classification:** Artificial satellite
- **Launch Site:** Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3
- **Related Entity (Preceded/Succeeded by context):** Explorer 10 (NASA satellite of the Explorer program)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Explorer 9?
A: Explorer 9 is an American artificial satellite. It is also known by its alias S-56A and was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: When was Explorer 9 launched?
A: Explorer 9 was launched on February 16, 1961. The launch took place from Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3.

### Q: Who operated Explorer 9?
A: Explorer 9 was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Explorer 9?
A: Explorer 9 was launched using a Scout X-1. The Scout X-1 is described as an American expendable launch system and sounding rocket.

### Q: What was Explorer 9's COSPAR ID?
A: Explorer 9's COSPAR ID is 1961-004A.

## Why It Matters
The provided source material describes Explorer 9 as an American artificial satellite launched on February 16, 1961, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Its factual existence contributes to the historical record of objects placed into Earth orbit by human effort. As an artificial satellite, it represents a human-made object put into an orbit.

## Notable For
- Being an American artificial satellite.
- Its launch on February 16, 1961.
- Being operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- Its launch using a Scout X-1 vehicle.
- Its alias, S-56A.

## Body
### Overview
Explorer 9 is an American artificial satellite, also identified by the alias S-56A. It is classified as an artificial satellite, defined as a human-made object put into an orbit.

### Operator
The operator for Explorer 9 was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Launch Details
Explorer 9 was launched on February 16, 1961. The launch occurred from Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3. The launch vehicle utilized for this mission was the Scout X-1, an American expendable launch system and sounding rocket. This rocket launch was a significant event on the specified date and location.

### Identifiers
- **SCN:** 00081
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-004A
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0cc8pz7
- **Wikipedia Title:** Explorer 9
- **Commons Category:** Explorer 9

### Related Entities
- **Classification:** artificial satellite
- **Launch Vehicle:** Scout X-1
- **Related (Preceded/Succeeded by context):** Explorer 10 (a NASA satellite of the Explorer program)

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013