# OGO 1

> American geophysical research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11798906](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11798906)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ogo-1

## Summary
OGO 1 (Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 1) was an American geophysical research satellite and the first spacecraft launched as part of NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program. Manufactured by TRW Inc. and sponsored by NASA, it launched on September 5, 1964, from Cape Canaveral. The satellite remained in orbit for 56 years before naturally decaying and re-entering Earth's atmosphere on August 29, 2020.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** American geophysical research satellite (also known as OGO-A, EOGO 1, EGO-A, EGO-1, and S49).
- **Launch Date:** September 5, 1964, at 01:23 (UTC).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas LV-3 Agena-B (serial 195D).
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12.
- **Manufacturer:** TRW Inc.
- **Mission End:** Service retirement on November 1, 1971; orbital decay on August 29, 2020, at 21:30.
- **Mass:** 487 kilograms.
- **Orbital Profile:** Highly elliptical orbit with an apoapsis of 111,135 km and a periapsis of 38,581 km (recorded March 3, 1969).
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1964-054A; NSSDCA ID 1964-054A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was OGO 1?
A: OGO 1 was the first satellite in NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, designed to conduct geophysical research. It was an artificial satellite sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and built by TRW Inc.

### Q: When did OGO 1 re-enter the atmosphere?
A: OGO 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere and decayed on August 29, 2020, at approximately 21:30 UTC. It had been retired from service since November 1, 1971.

### Q: What rocket launched OGO 1?
A: OGO 1 was launched aboard an Atlas LV-3 Agena-B rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12 in Florida.

## Why It Matters
OGO 1 represents a significant milestone in the history of space exploration as the inaugural mission of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (OGO) program. This series of satellites was designed to provide a comprehensive study of the Earth's geophysical environment, bridging the gap between specific mission objectives and broad, multi-experiment research platforms.

The launch of OGO 1 on September 5, 1964, demonstrated the capability to place large, complex scientific payloads—weighing nearly 500 kg—into highly elliptical orbits. This allowed for the sampling of magnetic fields and particle fluxes at vast distances (up to 111,135 km from Earth) while also skimming the upper atmosphere at 38,581 km.

Furthermore, OGO 1's history highlights the long-term lifecycle of orbital hardware. While the satellite was operationally retired in 1971 after seven years of service, its physical presence in space endured for decades, finally succumbing to orbital decay in 2020. This 56-year orbital lifespan serves as a case study in the longevity of space debris and the dynamics of high-eccentricity orbits.

## Notable For
- **First of its Series:** Being the first launched unit of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program.
- **Longevity:** Remaining in orbit for 56 years after launch, re-entering in 2020.
- **Orbital Eccentricity:** Achieving a highly elongated orbit with an apoapsis exceeding 111,000 km.
- **Naming Convention:** Holding a high number of aliases (EOGO 1, OGO-A, EGO-A, EGO-1, S49) compared to standard satellites.
- **Power System:** Utilizing two spacecraft solar arrays for power.

## Body
### Development and Specifications
OGO 1 was constructed by TRW Inc. under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a research satellite, its primary design purpose was to facilitate scientific investigation into geophysical phenomena.

**Physical Characteristics:**
- **Mass:** 487 kilograms
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array (quantity: 2)
- **Alternative Names:** Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 1, EOGO 1, OGO-A, EGO-A, EGO-1, S49

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched successfully on September 5, 1964, at 01:23 UTC. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12 utilizing an Atlas LV-3 Agena-B expendable launch vehicle.

### Orbital Parameters
As of March 3, 1969, OGO 1 occupied a highly eccentric orbit around Earth:
- **Apoapsis (Farthest point):** 111,135 kilometres
- **Periapsis (Nearest point):** 38,581 kilometres
- **Orbital Period:** 3,839 minutes (approximately 64 hours)
- **Inclination:** 58.1 degrees

### Mission Timeline and Decay
The satellite provided service until its official retirement on November 1, 1971. Following retirement, the object remained in a decaying orbit for nearly five decades.
- **Decay Date:** August 29, 2020
- **Decay Time:** 21:30 UTC

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "OGO 1",
  "description": "First satellite launched in NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program for geophysical research.",
  "sameAs": [
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  ],
  "additionalType": "research_satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ogo.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. The Orbiting Geophysical Observatories
4. [United States Space Surveillance Network](https://www.space-track.org/#decay)