Vela 2B


Vela 2B was a U.S. reconnaissance satellite for detecting explosions and nuclear tests on land and in space, the first of the second pair of Vela series satellites, taken together with Vela 2A and ERS 13 satellites. The secondary task of the ship was space research.
The satellite was rotationally stabilized. The ship could work in real time mode or in data recording mode. The first mode was used for the first 40% of the mission's duration. The second one was used until the next pair of Vela satellites were launched.
The ship remains in orbit around Earth.

Instruments