NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Transit-5A 1

Launch Time
Wed Dec 19, 1962 01:25 UTC

Rocket

Scout X-3
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Payload to LEO: 87 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0

Mission Details

Transit-5A 1

The Transit system, also known as NAVSAT or NNSS (for Navy Navigation Satellite System), was the first satellite navigation system to be used operationally. The system was primarily used by the U.S. Navy to provide accurate location information to its Polaris ballistic missile submarines, and it was also used as a navigation system by the Navy's surface ships, as well as for hydrographic survey and geodetic surveying. Transit provided continuous navigation satellite service from 1964, initially for Polaris submarines and later for civilian use as well.

Low Earth Orbit

Location

SLC-5, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1962

80th orbital launch attempt

Scout

9th mission
5th mission of 1962
4th successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission