# OGO 4

> American geophysical research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q105921311](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105921311)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ogo-4

## Summary
OGO 4 was an American geophysical research satellite launched in 1967 as part of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program. It succeeded OGO 3 and preceded OGO 5 in this series of satellites designed to conduct scientific research on Earth's geophysical properties.

## Key Facts
- OGO 4 was launched on July 28, 1967, at 14:21:07 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 East.
- The satellite had a mass of 562 kilograms and was manufactured by TRW Inc.
- It was launched using a Thor-Agena D rocket (designation 478).
- OGO 4 was part of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, succeeding OGO 3 and preceding OGO 5.
- As of January 28, 1972, it had an orbital period of 93 minutes with an apoapsis of 505 kilometers and a periapsis of 364 kilometers.
- The satellite's orbital inclination was 86.0 degrees, providing comprehensive global coverage.
- OGO 4 was powered by a spacecraft solar array with 2 panels.
- It was retired from service on September 27, 1971, with orbit decay occurring on August 16, 1972.
- Alternative names for OGO 4 include Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 4, POGO 2, OGO-D, and S50A.
- Both its COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID were 1967-073A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of OGO 4?
A: OGO 4 was designed to conduct scientific research on Earth's geophysical properties as part of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program. The satellite collected data about various geophysical phenomena to help scientists better understand our planet's environment and processes.

### Q: How long did OGO 4 remain in operation?
A: OGO 4 was launched on July 28, 1967, and was officially retired from service on September 27, 1971. Its orbit eventually decayed on August 16, 1972, after which it no longer functioned as a satellite.

### Q: What made OGO 4's orbit unique among research satellites?
A: OGO 4 featured a highly inclined 86.0-degree orbit, which provided comprehensive coverage of Earth's geophysical phenomena with a particular focus on polar regions. This inclination allowed for observations that would be difficult to achieve from satellites in lower inclination orbits.

## Why It Matters
OGO 4 represented a significant advancement in Earth observation technology during the Space Race era. As part of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, it contributed valuable data about Earth's magnetic field, radiation belts, and upper atmosphere, helping scientists better understand geophysical processes. This information was crucial for improving space weather prediction models, protecting satellite operations from space radiation, and advancing our understanding of how solar activity affects Earth's environment. OGO 4's highly inclined orbit allowed for unique observations of polar geophysical phenomena, while its successful operation demonstrated the effectiveness of standardized satellite platforms for multiple scientific instruments, paving the way for future Earth observation missions.

## Notable For
1. OGO 4 featured a highly inclined 86-degree orbit, allowing for unique observations of polar geophysical phenomena that are difficult to observe from lower latitudes.
2. It was part of the first generation of dedicated geophysical research satellites, pioneering long-term Earth observation capabilities.
3. The satellite was designed for extended scientific observation and operated for over two years after its launch.
4. OGO 4 was notable for being powered by solar arrays with 2 panels, demonstrating the feasibility of using solar power for long-duration geophysical research missions.
5. It was one of the satellites in the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory series, which represented a systematic approach to studying multiple aspects of Earth's geophysical environment.

## Body
### Mission Overview
OGO 4 was an American geophysical research satellite launched on July 28, 1967, at 14:21:07 UTC. It was part of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, succeeding OGO 3 and preceding OGO 5 in the series of satellites used for geophysical research. The satellite had a mass of 562 kilograms and was manufactured by TRW Inc.

### Launch and Deployment
OGO 4 was launched using a Thor-Agena D rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 East. The launch vehicle had the designation 478. The satellite received the COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID of 1967-073A. It was sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Orbital Characteristics
At its peak operation (as of January 28, 1972), OGO 4 had an orbital period of 93 minutes, with an apoapsis of 505 kilometers and a periapsis of 364 kilometers. Its orbital inclination was 86.0 degrees, providing comprehensive global coverage with a focus on polar regions. The satellite was powered by a spacecraft solar array with 2 panels.

### Operational History
OGO 4 was retired from service on September 27, 1971. Its orbit eventually decayed on August 16, 1972. The satellite operated for over two years after its launch, contributing valuable data to the scientific understanding of Earth's geophysical properties.

### Alternative Names
OGO 4 was also known by several alternative names, including Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 4, POGO 2, OGO-D, and S50A.

## Schema Markup
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  "name": "OGO 4",
  "description": "American geophysical research satellite launched in 1967 as part of the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbiting_Geophysical_Observatory",
  "sameAs": [
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  "additionalType": "research satellite",
  "identifier": [
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      "value": "1967-073A"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "propertyID": "NSSDCA ID",
      "value": "1967-073A"
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  "manufacturer": "TRW Inc.",
  "sponsor": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration",
  "launchDate": "1967-07-28",
  "launchVehicle": "Thor-Agena D",
  "orbitalPeriod": "93 minutes",
  "mass": {
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  "retirementDate": "1971-09-27",
  "orbitDecayDate": "1972-08-16",
  "partOfSeries": "Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ogo.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. The Orbiting Geophysical Observatories
4. [NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1967-073A)
5. [United States Space Surveillance Network](https://www.space-track.org/#decay)