The Ariel 5 and UK 6 satellites

Onboard experiments are described for the Ariel 5 and UK-6 satellites related to their galactic X-ray sources missions. For the Ariel 5 satellite (launched October 15, 1974), four of the experiments view either along or close to the spin axis. The other two are scanning experiments, one with wide angle view centered perpendicular to the spin axis. The experiments determine positions of X-ray sources, survey new X-ray stars, observe polarization, spectra and temporal variability of X-ray sources, and continuous monitoring of the whole celestial sphere. The UK-6 satellite, to be launched in 1977, provides a platform for measurements in the 0.1 to 2 keV range low energy X-ray sources.