# Injun 6

> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q5421380](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5421380)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_52)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/injun-6

## Summary
Injun 6, also known as Explorer 52 or Hawkeye-1, was a NASA satellite launched in 1974 as part of the Explorer program to study Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. Designed and manufactured by the University of Iowa, it was the sixth in the Injun series of geomagnetic satellites and contributed to the International Magnetospheric Study.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **June 3, 1974**, at **23:09:11 UTC** from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5** using a **Scout E-1** rocket.
- Mass: **22.65 kg**, powered by a **spacecraft solar array**.
- Operated by **NASA** and designed/manufactured by the **University of Iowa**.
- Also known by aliases: **Explorer 52, Hawkeye-1, Neutral Point Explorer, Injun-F, Ionospheric Explorer-D (IE-D)**.
- Part of the **Injun series (6th satellite)** and the **Explorers Program (52nd satellite)**.
- Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on **April 28, 1978**.
- COSPAR ID: **1974-040A**, NSSDCA ID: **1974-040A**.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Injun 6?
A: Injun 6 was a **geomagnetic satellite** designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere as part of NASA's Explorer program and the **International Magnetospheric Study**.

### Q: Who built and operated Injun 6?
A: It was **designed and manufactured by the University of Iowa** and **operated by NASA**.

### Q: How long was Injun 6 in orbit?
A: It was launched on **June 3, 1974**, and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on **April 28, 1978**, remaining in orbit for nearly **4 years**.

### Q: What rocket launched Injun 6?
A: It was launched using a **Scout E-1** rocket from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5**.

### Q: What were some other names for Injun 6?
A: It was also called **Explorer 52, Hawkeye-1, Neutral Point Explorer, Injun-F, and Ionospheric Explorer-D (IE-D)**.

## Why It Matters
Injun 6 played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere during the **International Magnetospheric Study (IMS)**, a global collaborative effort in the 1970s. As a **geomagnetic satellite**, it provided valuable data on solar-terrestrial interactions, helping scientists study space weather, magnetic fields, and charged particles in near-Earth space. Its contributions aided in improving models of Earth's magnetic environment, which are essential for satellite operations, communications, and space exploration. Additionally, its development by the **University of Iowa** highlighted the role of academic institutions in space research, complementing NASA's larger missions.

## Notable For
- Being the **6th satellite in the Injun series** and the **52nd in the Explorer program**.
- Contributing to the **International Magnetospheric Study (IMS)**, a major global research initiative.
- Having multiple aliases, including **Hawkeye-1**, reflecting its association with the University of Iowa.
- Operating for nearly **4 years** before atmospheric re-entry.
- Being a **low-mass satellite (22.65 kg)** with solar-powered instrumentation.

## Body
### Overview
Injun 6 (Explorer 52) was a **NASA satellite** launched as part of the **Explorer program**, specifically designed for geomagnetic research. It was the sixth in the **Injun series**, a collection of satellites developed by the **University of Iowa** to study Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere.

### Launch and Orbit
- **Launch Date:** June 3, 1974, at 23:09:11 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Scout E-1 (serial number S191C).
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5.
- **Orbit Duration:** Nearly 4 years, with re-entry on April 28, 1978.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass:** 22.65 kg.
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-040A.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1974-040A.

### Mission and Contributions
Injun 6 was part of the **International Magnetospheric Study (IMS)**, a coordinated global effort to study Earth's magnetosphere. Its instruments measured magnetic fields, plasma, and energetic particles, providing data critical to understanding solar wind interactions with Earth's magnetic environment.

### Legacy
As a **geomagnetic satellite**, Injun 6 helped bridge the gap between earlier Explorer missions and more advanced space observatories. Its findings contributed to the broader field of space physics, influencing later missions like the **Small Astronomy Satellite 3**.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Injun 6",
  "description": "NASA satellite of the Explorer program designed to study Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_52"
  ],
  "additionalType": "http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q15241312"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_ie-d.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1974-040A)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013