Transat (NNS 30110)

USA


International Sat. n°:

USA satellite n°:

Also called: Transit-O 11

Launch data:

Designation 77106A
Launch date 28 Oct 1977
Launch site Va, SLC-5
Launch vehicle  Scout-D1
Mission Navigation, technology
Perigee / Apogee  km
Inclination °
Period  min


Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor  Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Customer  USN
Platform  
Mass at launch   kg
Dry Mass  kg
Basic shape  
Dimension  
Solar array  4
Stabilization  Gravity stabilized
Equipment Transit transponder, SATRACK transponder
Design lifetime  

Decay:

Out of service:  
Cause:  
Descent date:  
Lifetime: 

Mission details:

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 (Satellte Tracking) system. SATRACK served to increase the accuracy of the Trident-C4 missiles. When working in the SATRACK mode, it received, translated amd retransmitted GPS satellite signals to simulate an orbiting test missile and thus permitted tu 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.


Ref.: #14 - update: 05.05.05