ESRO's seventh satellite, ESRO-4, was launched on November 22nd, 1972 by a Scout rocket from Canaveral. This 130kg thermosphere science satellite provided readings that led to the conclusion that the polar upper atmosphere temperature is higher than that over the equator.
This documentary explains ESRO-4's purpose, and the overall project management by ESTEC. It also includes much cleanroom footage - vibration testing; thermovacuum tests; solar panel manufacture; power supply subsystem development; heat-shield ejection tests; magnetic testing; boom deployment tests; and development of telecommunications, thermal control and attitude control subsystems. There is coverage of satellite integration and testing, prior to the launch itself; animations illustrate the flight, fourth stage separation and deployment. ESOC's acquisition of telemetry data produced by the satellite is shown; further animations are used to demonstrate how the satellite's spin axis changes. Finally, the various experiments are described by

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