# OGO 5

> American geophysical research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q105923442](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105923442)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ogo-5

## Summary
OGO 5 (Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 5) was an American geophysical research satellite launched in 1968 as part of NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program. It conducted scientific research on Earth's geophysical environment, including measurements of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and cosmic rays, before being retired in 1972.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 4, 1968, at 13:06:01 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13.
- **Mass**: 611 kg (1,347 lbs).
- **Orbit**: Highly elliptical, with an apoapsis of 120,666 km and periapsis of 26,405 km (as of April 4, 1971).
- **Orbital Period**: 3,796 minutes (as of April 4, 1971).
- **Manufacturer**: TRW Inc.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas SLV-3A Agena-D (serial number 5602A).
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (2 panels).
- **Mission Duration**: Operated until July 14, 1972, with orbital decay occurring on July 2, 2011.
- **Part of**: The Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, a series of six satellites launched by NASA for geophysical research.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 5, EOGO 3, OGO-E, EGO-B, EGO-3, and S59.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of OGO 5?
A: OGO 5 was designed to study Earth's geophysical environment, including the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and cosmic rays, as part of NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program.

### Q: When was OGO 5 launched and deactivated?
A: OGO 5 was launched on March 4, 1968, and was retired from service on July 14, 1972. Its orbit decayed on July 2, 2011.

### Q: What were the orbital characteristics of OGO 5?
A: As of April 4, 1971, OGO 5 had an apoapsis of 120,666 km, a periapsis of 26,405 km, and an orbital period of 3,796 minutes (approximately 63.3 hours).

### Q: Who manufactured OGO 5?
A: OGO 5 was manufactured by TRW Inc., an American aerospace company.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for OGO 5?
A: OGO 5 was launched using an Atlas SLV-3A Agena-D rocket, a type of American expendable launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
OGO 5 played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's geophysical environment. As part of NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, it contributed valuable data on the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and cosmic rays, which are essential for studying space weather and its effects on Earth. The satellite's highly elliptical orbit allowed it to gather data from a wide range of altitudes, providing insights into the interactions between the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind. The knowledge gained from OGO 5 and its sister satellites has been instrumental in the development of space science and has informed subsequent missions and research in geophysics and space exploration.

## Notable For
- **Highly Elliptical Orbit**: OGO 5's orbit allowed it to study a wide range of altitudes, from 26,405 km to 120,666 km.
- **Long Mission Duration**: Operated for over four years, from 1968 to 1972.
- **Part of a Pioneering Program**: One of six satellites in NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, which significantly advanced geophysical research.
- **Multiple Aliases**: Known by several names, including EOGO 3, OGO-E, and EGO-B, reflecting its multifaceted role in scientific research.
- **Solar-Powered**: Equipped with two solar arrays for power, a common feature in research satellites of its time.

## Body
### Overview
OGO 5 was the fifth satellite in NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, a series of satellites designed to study Earth's geophysical environment. Launched on March 4, 1968, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13, OGO 5 was part of a broader effort to understand the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and cosmic rays.

### Launch and Orbit
OGO 5 was launched using an Atlas SLV-3A Agena-D rocket, a reliable launch vehicle of its time. The satellite was placed in a highly elliptical orbit, which allowed it to gather data from a wide range of altitudes. As of April 4, 1971, its apoapsis was 120,666 km, and its periapsis was 26,405 km, with an orbital period of 3,796 minutes (approximately 63.3 hours). The orbital inclination was 54.0 degrees.

### Mission and Instruments
OGO 5 was equipped with a variety of scientific instruments designed to study Earth's geophysical environment. These instruments measured parameters such as magnetic fields, plasma, and cosmic rays. The satellite was powered by two solar arrays, which provided the necessary energy for its operations.

### Mission Duration and Deactivation
OGO 5 operated for over four years, from its launch in 1968 until its retirement on July 14, 1972. The satellite's orbit decayed on July 2, 2011, marking the end of its physical presence in space.

### Significance and Legacy
OGO 5, along with the other satellites in the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program, significantly advanced our understanding of Earth's geophysical environment. The data collected by OGO 5 contributed to the study of space weather and its effects on Earth, informing subsequent missions and research in geophysics and space exploration.

## Schema Markup
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  "name": "OGO 5",
  "description": "American geophysical research satellite launched in 1968 as part of NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory program.",
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## 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)
5. [NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1968-014A)