San Marco

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San Marco

San Marco
Credit: © Mark Wade

San Marco Launch Complex. In 1962 NASA signed an agreement with the Centro Ricerche Aerospaziali at the University of Rome creating the San Marco program. The purpose of the program was to place an Italian satellite in orbit and to create an Italian equatorial launch site for the Scout rocket. Permission was obtained from Kenya to emplace two modified oil platforms off their coast, on the equator. The Santa Rita platform would serve as a launch control center and would also be used for launch of sounding rockets. The San Marco platform would be dedicated to launch of Scout rockets to orbit.

First Launch: 1964-03-25. Last Launch: 1988-03-25. Number: 27 . Location: Formosa Bay. Longitude: 40.21 deg. Latitude: -2.94 deg.

Santa Rita, a triangular platform 40 m on a side, was towed from Italy to Kenya in the winter of 1963-1964 and emplaced in 20 m of water. The first launches of Nike Apache sounding rockets in the spring of 1964 proved the platform's systems. The San Marco platform, a 30 x 100 m rectangle, was emplaced in 1966 and the first Scout launch to orbit came in April 1967.

The site continued in use until 1988. It was not scrapped, as one potential Italian or European launcher program after another (Scout 2, Vega) created the possibility that funds would be made available to put it back in use. By 2003 the platforms were in a very decrepit state and the scrap yard beckoned.

Minimum Inclination: 2.0 degrees. Maximum Inclination: 3.0 degrees.

Subtopics

San Marco Rita Apache launch complex. Santa Rita Platform

Family: Orbital Launch Site, Tomahawk Sandia. Country: Kenya. Spacecraft: Ariel, San Marco satellite, SAS, SSS. Launch Vehicles: Nike Apache, Nike Tomahawk, Scout B, Super Arcas, Astrobee D, Scout B-1, Scout D-1, Scout F-1, Black Brant 8C, Scout G-1. Projects: Explorer. Launch Sites: San Marco Rita. Bibliography: 2, 572, 9530, 13058, 13059, 13060.

Photo Gallery

San Marco
Location of San Marco
Credit: © Mark Wade

1964 March 25 - . Launch Site: San Marco. Launch Complex: San Marco Rita. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

Test mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1964 March 30 - . Launch Site: San Marco. Launch Complex: San Marco Rita. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

Test mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1964 April 2 - . Launch Site: San Marco. Launch Complex: San Marco Rita. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

Test mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1967 April 26 - . 10:06 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.

San Marco 2 - . Payload: San Marco B. Mass: 129 kg (284 lb). Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere satellite. Spacecraft: San Marco satellite. Decay Date: 1967-10-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 2761 . COSPAR: 1967-038A. Apogee: 741 km (460 mi). Perigee: 219 km (136 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 94.20 min. Atmospheric density data. Scientific satellite launched from a mobile range off Formosa Bay (Kenya). .

1970 December 12 - . 10:53 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.

Explorer 42 - . Payload: SAS A. Mass: 143 kg (315 lb). Nation: Italy. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Program: Explorer. Class: Astronomy. Type: Solar satellite. Spacecraft: SAS. Decay Date: 1979-04-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 4797 . COSPAR: 1970-107A. Apogee: 570 km (350 mi). Perigee: 521 km (323 mi). Inclination: 3.00 deg. Period: 95.50 min. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

1971 April 24 - . 07:32 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.

San Marco 3 - . Payload: San Marco C. Mass: 164 kg (361 lb). Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere satellite. Spacecraft: San Marco satellite. Decay Date: 1971-11-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 5176 . COSPAR: 1971-036A. Apogee: 707 km (439 mi). Perigee: 222 km (137 mi). Inclination: 3.20 deg. Period: 93.80 min. Atmospheric research. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

1971 November 15 - . 05:52 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B.

Explorer 45 - . Payload: SSS A. Mass: 52 kg (114 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: SSS. Decay Date: 1992-01-10 . USAF Sat Cat: 5598 . COSPAR: 1971-096A. Apogee: 18,149 km (11,277 mi). Perigee: 272 km (169 mi). Inclination: 3.20 deg. Period: 322.80 min. Studies magnetosphere, energetic particles. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

1971 November 17 - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Tomahawk. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk.

Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1972 March 13 - . 16:00 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

ISRC-PO-4 Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1972 March 14 - . 15:58 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

ISRC-PO-5 Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1972 March 15 - . 16:00 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

ISRC-PO-6 Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1972 March 16 - . 15:43 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

ISRC-PO-7 Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1972 March 22 - . 08:22 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

ISRC-PO-9 Ionosphere mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1972 November 15 - . 22:13 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout D-1.

Explorer 48 - . Payload: SAS B. Mass: 185 kg (407 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Program: Explorer. Class: Astronomy. Type: Solar satellite. Spacecraft: SAS. Decay Date: 1976-08-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 6282 . COSPAR: 1972-091A. Apogee: 526 km (326 mi). Perigee: 526 km (326 mi). Inclination: 1.00 deg. Period: 95.20 min. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

1972 November 28 - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.

Ionosphere / aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1973 June 30 - . 13:07 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Tomahawk. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk.

Solar extreme ultraviolet mission - . Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

1974 February 18 - . 10:05 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout D-1.

San Marco 4 - . Payload: San Marco C2. Mass: 164 kg (361 lb). Nation: Italy. Agency: CRS. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere satellite. Spacecraft: San Marco satellite. Decay Date: 1976-05-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 7154 . COSPAR: 1974-009A. Apogee: 875 km (543 mi). Perigee: 270 km (160 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 96.10 min. Measurement of density, temperature, composition of atmosphere. Launch time 10:05:28.5 GMT. Anticipated life: 3 years. .

1974 October 15 - . 07:47 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout B-1.

Ariel 5 - . Payload: UK 5. Mass: 129 kg (284 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Ariel. Decay Date: 1980-03-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 7471 . COSPAR: 1974-077A. Apogee: 549 km (341 mi). Perigee: 504 km (313 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 94.90 min. X-ray observatory. Cosmic X-ray astronomy. Injection point: 2.7S, 58.2E. Anticipated life: 5 years. Time of launch: 07:47:00.25 GMT. Decay also (belatedly) noted in ST/SG/SER.E/216. .

1975 May 7 - . 22:45 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout F-1.

Explorer 53 - . Payload: SAS C. Mass: 195 kg (429 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Program: Explorer. Class: Astronomy. Type: Solar satellite. Spacecraft: SAS. Decay Date: 1979-04-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 7788 . COSPAR: 1975-037A. Apogee: 507 km (315 mi). Perigee: 498 km (309 mi). Inclination: 3.00 deg. Period: 94.70 min. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

1980 February 15 - . 08:25 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Arcas. Launch Vehicle: Super Arcas.

Plasma mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi).

1980 February 16 - . 08:23 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant 8C.

LASL Eclipse La Solar eclipse mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 319 km (198 mi).

1980 February 16 - . 08:23 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant 8C.

LASL Eclipse La Solar eclipse mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 298 km (185 mi).

1980 February 16 - . 08:25 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Arcas. Launch Vehicle: Super Arcas.

Plasma mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 84 km (52 mi).

1980 February 16 - . 08:25 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Astrobee. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee D.

Plasma mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 78 km (48 mi).

1980 February 16 - . 09:10 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Arcas. Launch Vehicle: Super Arcas.

Plasma mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 78 km (48 mi).

1980 February 16 - . 20:30 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Astrobee. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee D.

Plasma mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi).

1988 March 25 - . 19:50 GMT - . Launch Site: San Marco. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout G-1.

San Marco D/L - . Payload: San Marco 5. Mass: 236 kg (520 lb). Nation: Italy. Agency: ASI. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere satellite. Spacecraft: San Marco satellite. Decay Date: 1988-12-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 19013 . COSPAR: 1988-026A. Apogee: 625 km (388 mi). Perigee: 268 km (166 mi). Inclination: 3.00 deg. Period: 93.50 min. Upper atmosphere studies; US, France, Italy participation. .

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