Ariel V - Definition

Ariel V

A UK X-ray mission, also known as UK-5.

Ariel V was launched into a low inclination (2.8 degrees) orbit from the San Marco launch platform in the Indian Ocean on 15 October 1974. The mission was a British-USA collaboration. The Science Research Council managed the project for the UK and GSFC/NASA for the USA. Ariel V was dedicated to monitoring the X-ray sky with a comprehensive payload. The mission ended in the spring of 1980.