Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
01:49:00
Sunday June 16, 1963
First satellite to archive tidal stabilization.
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
13th
Mission
4th
Mission of 1963
31st
Orbital launch attempt