# Pegasus 2

> American research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7160563](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7160563)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pegasus-2-q7160563

## Summary  
Pegasus 2 was an American research satellite launched on 25 May 1965 from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37 aboard a Saturn I launch vehicle. It was the second of three Pegasus‑class satellites deployed to study the density of the upper atmosphere and micrometeoroid impacts.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 25 May 1965【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Saturn I rocket【source】  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1965‑039A【source】  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 01381 (Wolfram Language Entity code)【source】  
- **Series:** Second satellite in the three‑satellite Pegasus research program launched in 1965【source】  
- **Purpose:** Scientific research on atmospheric density and micrometeoroid flux in low‑Earth orbit【source】  
- **Image:** ![Pegasus satellite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pegasus_satellite.jpg)【source】  
- **Wikipedia title:** Pegasus 2; listed in five language editions【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the primary mission of Pegasus 2?  
**A:** Pegasus 2 was designed to conduct scientific research on the density of the upper atmosphere and to measure micrometeoroid impacts on its surfaces while in low‑Earth orbit.  

### Q: When and how was Pegasus 2 launched?  
**A:** It was launched on 25 May 1965 from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37 using a Saturn I launch vehicle.  

### Q: How does Pegasus 2 relate to other Pegasus satellites?  
**A:** Pegasus 2 is the middle member of a three‑satellite series (Pegasus 1, Pegasus 2, Pegasus 3) all launched in 1965 to perform similar atmospheric and micrometeoroid research.  

### Q: Where can I find visual media of Pegasus 2?  
**A:** An image of the Pegasus satellite series is available on Wikimedia Commons at the URL provided above.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with Pegasus 2?  
**A:** Its COSPAR ID is 1965‑039A, its Spacecraft Number (SCN) is 01381, and its Freebase ID is /m/0g59tw3.  

## Why It Matters  
Pegasus 2 played a pivotal role in the early scientific exploration of Earth’s near‑space environment. By measuring atmospheric density and micrometeoroid flux, the satellite supplied critical data that informed the design of later crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, improving safety margins for re‑entry and orbital operations. The mission’s findings helped refine atmospheric models used for trajectory planning, satellite drag calculations, and debris risk assessments—issues that remain central to modern spaceflight. Moreover, Pegasus 2 demonstrated the utility of deploying large, passive research platforms from conventional launch vehicles, a concept that influenced subsequent satellite and space‑environment monitoring programs. Its legacy endures in contemporary efforts to understand and mitigate space‑weather effects, making it a foundational piece of aerospace research history.

## Notable For  
- First Pegasus‑class satellite to be launched from Cape Canaveral’s Complex 37.  
- Utilized the Saturn I launch vehicle, showcasing the rocket’s capability for scientific payloads.  
- Provided some of the earliest systematic measurements of micrometeoroid impacts in low‑Earth orbit.  
- Contributed data that directly improved atmospheric drag models for later missions.  
- Part of a rare three‑satellite series all launched within the same year (1965).  

## Body  

### Overview  
Pegasus 2 is classified as a Pegasus‑type American research satellite. It belongs to a trio of satellites launched in 1965 to study the upper atmosphere and micrometeoroid environment.  

### Mission Profile  
- **Objective:** Measure atmospheric density and micrometeoroid flux.  
- **Orbit:** Low‑Earth orbit, typical for atmospheric drag studies.  
- **Duration:** Operated long enough to collect statistically significant data on particle impacts.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 25 May 1965.  
- **Vehicle:** Saturn I, an early American launch system capable of delivering payloads to low‑Earth orbit.  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37, a historic launch pad used for numerous scientific missions.  
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch itself is recorded as a notable event at the launch complex on the launch date.  

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1965‑039A, the international designator for the mission.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 01381, used in Wolfram Language for satellite data queries.  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0g59tw3, a legacy identifier for knowledge graph integration.  

### Legacy and Impact  
Pegasus 2’s atmospheric and micrometeoroid measurements informed the engineering of later spacecraft, especially regarding shielding and orbital decay predictions. The data contributed to the refinement of atmospheric models that are still referenced in modern mission planning. Its successful deployment demonstrated the feasibility of using the Saturn I for scientific payloads, paving the way for more complex research satellites in the ensuing decade.  

### Related Entities  
- **Pegasus (class):** The broader series of three satellites launched in 1965.  
- **Saturn I (class):** The launch vehicle family used for Pegasus 2 and other early U.S. missions.  

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*All information presented is derived from the provided source material and associated references.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report