Launch Date
June 22, 1960
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC-17B
Launch Vehicle
Thor-Able-Star
NORAD ID
00045
International Designator
1960-007A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:27:36 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
66.69°
Right Ascension
274.80°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
136.88°
Period
100.28 min
Mean Motion
14.36 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
TRANSIT 2A
Alternative Name
Transit II-A
Type
Status
Owner
Bureau of Naval Weapons (BUWEPS)
Country
United States
Constellation
Transit
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launched on June 22, 1960, Transit 2A was part of the U.S. Navy's Navigation Satellite System, providing accurate global position data to support naval operations. It was the first satellite to carry a de-spin system to stabilize its orientation in space.
1 00045U 60007A 26200.47750954 .00000067 00000+0 42706-4 0 9998
2 00045 66.6934 274.7967 0243277 136.8839 225.1605 14.35995863384683
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.9
Diameter
0.9
Span
0.9
Dry Mass
101
Launch Mass
101
Shape
Sphere
Radar Cross Section
0.4368
Visual Magnitude
5
Color
White with spiral antenna pattern
Material Composition
Fiberglass shell with honeycomb plastic filler; aluminum instrument tray; pressure-laminated fiberglass support tube.
Payload
Transit 2A
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Life Expectancy
Operated for over 6 years, transmitting valuable data that bolstered understanding in geophysical and solar research.
Bus
Transit
Configuration
Sphere
Motor
None
Equipment
Two transmitting systems, each transmitting on two frequencies: 54 MHz and 324 MHz, and 162 MHz and 216 MHz; silver-zinc and nickel-cadmium batteries; two command receivers; a de-spin system; and an infrared scanner designed for special studies by the Naval Ordnance Test Station.
Power System
Solar cells (body mounted), batteries
ADCS
Spin stabilization with de-spin system
Transmitter Frequency
54 MHz, 162 MHz, 216 MHz, 324 MHz
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