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NASA Explorer 7 Satellite Telemetry Data Tape

NASA Explorer 7 Satellite Telemetry Data Tape

23 total reviews

Verified Authentic

Item #235


This strip of magnetic tape includes a portion of raw telemetry data for the Explorer 7 satellite. This listing is for a section of tape in an acrylic case that was cut from a larger spool recorded in October 1959.

In 1955, even before any artificial satellites had been launched, planning for a satellite-tracking network was already underway at NASA.

Two years later, the Minitrack network of 11 stations positioned around the globe was completed just 3 days before the launch of Sputnik 1.

As satellites populated the skies, interferometers recorded their positions and velocities at each of these stations. This section of tape is from the Minitrack station in Johannesburg, South Africa.

One of the early satellites tracked by this network was Explorer 7 (aka Iota 59), which was launched in 1959 and collected scientific data about Earth’s atmosphere for 2 years before losing communication. 

Among the most notable data it collected were the first satellite measurements of the heat balance of Earth’s atmosphere, launching NASA’s mission of collecting valuable climate data just a year after the agency was formed.


Explorer 7 remains in orbit to this day. Track the satellite's current position here.



This item was featured in a recent Matter box.


  • Acrylic Display
  • Certificate of Authenticity
  • Individually Numbered

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Customer Reviews

Based on 23 reviews
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C
C.C. (Virginia, United States)

I amazed at the quality of my order, amazing!!!!! Will order again! Absolutely fantastic!!!!

A
A.D. (Texas, United States)
Perfect gift

I was looking for a tech themed gift for my husband and this did not disappoint! Perfect for any science lover in your life.

M
M.H. (Virginia, United States)

This is super fucking cool!

A
A. (Virginia, United States)

Such a cool gift you can give or receive. It is so awesome to be able to have it and display it.

P
P.B. (Virginia, United States)

Very quick shipping, thanks again!

A
A.K. (Virginia, United States)

So cool. Bought this as a birthday gift, my brother is going to be very excited!

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