NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Transat

Launch Time
Fri Oct 28, 1977 04:52 UTC

Rocket

Scout D1
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 622 kN
Payload to LEO: 185 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 21.0 m

Mission Details

Transat

Transat (Translation Satellite) was the Transit-O 11 satellite, modified to serve a dual role in both the Transit navigation system and the experimental SATRACK (Satellite Tracking) system. SATRACK served to increase the accuracy of the Trident-C4 missiles. When working in the SATRACK mode, it received, translated and retransmitted GPS satellite signals to simulate an orbiting test missile and thus permitted to evaluate the SATRACK ground equipment.

When Transat did not work in SATRACK mode, it served as a Transit navigation satellite.

The SATRACK equipment consisted of two redundant SATRACK translators and antenna elements on four symmetrical booms to provide the antenna patterns of a Trident missile.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 92.0 kg
Polar Orbit

Location

SLC-5, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1977

111th orbital launch attempt

Scout

78th mission
1st mission of 1977
65th successful mission
27th consecutive successful mission