Sunday, May 17, 2020

ESRO 2B, European Space Research Organization's first satellite, launched 1968



The newly formed European Space Research Organization (forerunner of ESA) entered the space age when it launched its first satellite ESRO 2B, also known as Iris (International Radiation Investigation Satellite) May 17, 1968.  It was designed to study cosmic rays, solar X-rays and the Van Allen belt. 

It re-entered Earth's atmosphere May 1971.


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