Echo II, a Balloon Satellite
December 7, 2011
Echo II is shown here undergoing a tensile stress test in a dirigible hanger at Weekesville, North Carolina. A dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air" aircraft. The 135-foot rigidized balloon satellite was sent into orbit as a passive communications experiment by NASA on January 25, 1964.
When folded, the satellite was packed into the 41-inch diameter canister shown in the foreground.
Image Credit: NASA
When folded, the satellite was packed into the 41-inch diameter canister shown in the foreground.
Image Credit: NASA
Topics:
Hydrogen technologies, Aviation, Aircraft, Environment, Lighter than air, Aerostat, Echo satellite, Airship, Balloon, Echo
