Ariel 6
Official name ARIEL 6
Alternative name Ariel VI
Cospar ID 1979-047A
Norad ID 11382
Launch date 1979-06-02
Launch site WLPIS
Launch vehicle Scout-D1
Country/Organization UK
Type application Science
Operator SERC, NASA
RCS size LARGE
Decay date 1990-09-23
Shape Cyl + 4 Pan
Mass (kg) 152.63
Diameter (m) 0.7
Height (m) 1.31
Span (m^2) 2.7
Contractors Marconi Space and Defence Systems
Power 4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries

Ariel 6 (UK 6) was the sixth and last satellite in the Ariel series. This satellite was launched on 2 June 1979, into a near-circular 625-km, 55-deg inclination orbit. The objective of this mission was to undertake studies in high-energy astrophysics. Two X-ray experiments, one cosmic-ray experiment, and three technology experiments were carried. The spacecraft was spin stabilized, with the spin axis commanded into a sequence of orientations to accommodate the X-ray experiment requirements.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ARIEL 6 1979-047A 1979-06-02 WLPIS Scout-D1