Measurement of ionosphere activity from the Beacon satellite launched in 1964

The Polar Ionosphere Beacon Satellite Program, S-66, was for the purpose of ionospheric research. The S-66 program aimed to make possible a synoptic study of the ionosphere as it varies in time and space. The program was designed to provide information on the spatial and temporal variations for the entire ionosphere. The Polar Ionosphere Beacon Satellite S-66 was launched in October 1964. Satellite recording equipment was installed at Scott Base in February 1964. It was designed to operate unattended for periods up to 10 days, in which time 140 separate transits would be recorded from the satellite. The equipment switches on automatically at the correct times and records 4 different features of the satellite transmissions, along with timing marks, on a 4-track pen recorder. The equipment operated throughout 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968 producing good records for more than 90% of the possible time. This makes a total of 20,000 individual transits recorded separately by the equipment, and completed the desired series of measurements covering the ascending phase of the sunspot cycle. These records were analysed in full to determine the occurrence and characteristics of large ionospheric irregularities over a large section of the Antarctic ionosphere, including the geographic, geomagnetic and dip poles and extending across the auroral zone. Measurements were also collected all over the earth.