MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – On this day, April 27, 1961, the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Explorer 11 satellite into Earth’s orbit.
The goal of the project was to study Earth’s gamma rays.
Explorer 11 was the first gamma-ray detection satellite flown, and weighed 82 pounds.
Gamma rays, a form of electromagnetic radiation, come from things like supernova explosions, super massive black holes, and even solar flares.
Explorer 11 operated well for some time, until power supply problems became noticeable in early September.
Useful data ceased soon after.
Explorer 11 made history, viewing the shortest wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum for the first time.
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