Explorer S-55
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
Explorer S-55 was a spacecraft of the Explorer Program of satellites in the 20th century. These satellites were operated by NASA and were intended for studying the properties of space. Explorer S-55's stated objective was for recording the impact and penetration of micrometeroids of a man-made object in Earth orbit. An image of this satellite was stored in the library computer of the USS Enterprise. This image was later retrieved by the Talosians during their survey of the library computer's contents in 2254. (TOS: "The Cage")
- The satellite Explorer S-55 was destroyed when its booster rocket failed in 1961. Though this satellite failed, the program was notable for its scientific discoveries, including the finding of the Van Allen Belt.
