Photo: ENERGY.GOV · Public domain (US government)

Transit 1B

Success US Air Force, Thor DM-21 Ablestar

About this launch

The Transit 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…

More about this launch

Flight profileThe climb, seen from the side · 3D replay on the globe
Launch window and padCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Site
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Everything launching from Cape Canaveral SFS →

Rocket and boosterThor DM-21 Ablestar
MissionNavigation · PO

Navigation · PO

What it put in orbit4 catalogued objects
ObjectTypeOrbitGlobe
THOR ABLESTAR R/B 1960-003A Rocket body re-entered 1961-08-18
TRANSIT 1B 1960-003B Payload re-entered 1967-10-05
THOR ABLESTAR DEB 1960-003C Debris re-entered 1960-07-17
THOR ABLESTAR DEB 1960-003D Debris re-entered 1979-07-15

COSPAR ID 1960-003. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).

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