ADE (Air Density Explorer)

Explorer 24

Explorer 24.

ADE (Air Density Explorer) was a series of balloons, made from alternating layers of aluminum foil and Mylar polyester film, placed in orbit to study the density of the upper atmosphere and the relationship between solar radiation and air density. The Air Density Explorers were developed at NASA Langley and had a diameter of 3.7 meters (12 feet) and a mass of 7–9 kilograms. All were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base.




ADE was a subprogram of NASA's Explorer series.


spacecraft launch date launcher orbit
Explorer 19 Dec 19, 1963 Scout X-3 597 × 2,391 km × 78.6°
Explorer 24 Nov 21, 1964 Scout X-3 530 × 2,498 km × 81.4°
Explorer 39 Aug 8, 1968 Scout B 570 × 2,538 km × 80.7°