NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Transit-5A 3

Launch Time
Sun Jun 16, 1963 01:49 UTC

First satellite to archive tidal stabilization.

Rocket

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

Mission Details

Transit-5A 3

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

1963

31st orbital launch attempt

Scout

13th mission
4th mission of 1963
6th successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission