# Ion Release Module > German satellite in the Explorer program **Wikidata**: [Q25449179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25449179) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMPTE-IRM) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ion-release-module ## Summary The Ion Release Module (AMPTE-IRM) is a German research satellite in the Explorer program and a component of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) mission. It was launched on 1984-08-16 and operated by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics before failing on 1986-08-14. ## Key Facts - The Ion Release Module (also known as AMPTE-IRM, IRM, AMPTE-3, AMPTE Ion Release Module) is a research satellite. - COSPAR ID / NSSDCA ID: 1984-088B. - Launch date and time: 1984-08-16 at 14:48 (UTC). - Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A. - Launch vehicle: Delta 3000 series (vehicle D-175). - Mass at launch: 705 kilograms. - Operator: Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. - Funder: Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (Germany). - Part of: Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) program (listed as component 3). - Principal investigator: Gerhard Haerendel. - End of mission / failure date: 1986-08-14 (recorded as failure/dissolution). - Power: spacecraft solar array with a rated value of 60 (unit specified in source). - SCN (spacecraft catalog number): 15200. - Wikipedia title for the vehicle: AMPTE-IRM. - Country of origin: Germany. ## FAQs ### Q: What was the Ion Release Module? A: The Ion Release Module (AMPTE-IRM) was a German research satellite in the Explorer program and a component of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) mission, operated by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. ### Q: When and how was it launched? A: AMPTE-IRM was launched on 1984-08-16 at 14:48 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A on a Delta 3000 series rocket (vehicle D-175). ### Q: How large and how long did it operate? A: The satellite had a launch mass of 705 kilograms. It was launched in August 1984 and was recorded as failed/dissolved on 1986-08-14. ### Q: Who funded and led the mission? A: The mission was funded by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology of Germany. The principal investigator was Gerhard Haerendel and the operator was the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. ## Why It Matters The Ion Release Module (AMPTE-IRM) represents Germany’s direct contribution to an international Explorer-series effort to study space environment phenomena through coordinated spacecraft. As one of the components of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) program, AMPTE-IRM was part of a multi-satellite campaign managed and funded by national research bodies and research institutes, demonstrating national scientific investment and collaboration in space research. Its deployment from Cape Canaveral on a U.S. Delta 3000 vehicle highlights cross-national launch and mission support. The satellite’s operation under the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and leadership by principal investigator Gerhard Haerendel underscore its role within the German space science community. Although its mission ended with a recorded failure in August 1986, the vehicle’s participation in AMPTE contributes to the historical record of international magnetospheric and space research programs carried out in the 1980s. ## Notable For - Being the German component of the AMPTE (Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers) series (listed as component 3). - Launched on 1984-08-16 from Cape Canaveral on a Delta 3000 (D-175) launcher. - Operated by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics with Gerhard Haerendel as principal investigator. - Launch mass of 705 kg and cataloged SCN 15200; registered under COSPAR/NSSDCA ID 1984-088B. - Funded by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (Germany) and recorded as failing on 1986-08-14. ## Body ### Overview - Official names/aliases: Ion Release Module, AMPTE-IRM, IRM, AMPTE-3, AMPTE Ion Release Module. - Instance type: research satellite. - Wikidata description: German satellite in the Explorer program. - Part of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) program (component 3 in program listing). ### Timeline - Launch: 1984-08-16 at 14:48 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A. - End of mission / recorded failure: 1986-08-14 (dissolved/abolished date listed as failure). ### Launch and Flight - Launch vehicle: Delta 3000 series, vehicle designation D-175. - Launch site: Cape Canaveral SLC-17A. - Significant event logged: rocket launch from Cape Canaveral on 1984-08-16. ### Technical and Identification Data - Mass: 705 kilograms (launch mass). - Power: spacecraft solar array with a rated value of 60 (unit specified in source data). - SCN (spacecraft catalog number): 15200. - COSPAR ID / NSSDCA ID: 1984-088B. - Wikipedia article title: AMPTE-IRM. ### Organization and Personnel - Operator: Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. - Principal investigator: Gerhard Haerendel. - Funder / sponsor: Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (Germany). - Country of origin: Germany. ### Program Context and Sequence - The Ion Release Module is listed as part of the AMPTE program and follows the United Kingdom Subsatellite in the program sequence (qualifier indicates ordinal position). - Program association: Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE). ### Mission Outcome - The mission is recorded as having a failure event on 1986-08-14, which is cataloged as the satellite’s dissolution/abolishment date in the provided source data. ### References and Identifiers (as recorded in source) - COSPAR / NSSDCA ID: 1984-088B. - SCN: 15200. - Source-recorded launch, operator, funding, and failure dates are reflected in the vehicle’s mission metadata. ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/irm.htm) 2. Jonathan's Space Report 3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1984-088B)