The plane of rotation shifted about 1°/day so that a stellar detector mounted to point radially outward from the axis scanned the celestial sphere.

Data from all detectors were stored in a 54-kbs core memory and telemetered on command to the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) tracking station at Blossom Point, Maryland.

Data were also transmitted in real time at 137.71-MHz and were shared with the international scientific community through Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

Four symmetrically placed 17.8 by 53.3 centimetres (7.0 in × 21.0 in) solar cell panels, hinged at the central section of the structure, served as the elements of a turnstile antenna system.

The plane of rotation shifted about 1°/day so that a stellar detector mounted to point radially outward from the axis scanned the celestial sphere.

Data from all detectors were stored in a 54 kb core memory and telemetered on command to the NRL Satellite Operations Center at Blossom Point, Maryland.

Charged particle information was provided by proportional counters mounted on three sides of the X-ray detector.

Aspect information was provided by a blue-sensitive photomultiplier capable of detecting all fourth-magnitude and not fifth-magnitude stars.

Telemetry system 1 (TM 1) used a PAM/PCM/FM/PM transmitter that operated at 137.710 MHz with a radiated power of 250 MW.