Transit Research and Attitude Control explained

Transit Research and Attitude Control (TRAAC)
Mission Type:Technology
Operator:United States Navy
Harvard Designation:1961 Alpha Eta 2
Satcat:205
Mission Duration:270 days
Launch Mass:109kg (240lb)
Launch Date: UTC
Launch Rocket:Thor DM-21 Ablestar
Launch Site:Cape Canaveral LC-17B
Orbit Epoch:February 7, 2014, 04:46:58 UTC[1]
Orbit Reference:Geocentric
Orbit Regime:Low Earth
Orbit Periapsis:958km (595miles)
Orbit Apoapsis:1109km (689miles)
Orbit Inclination:32.44 degrees
Orbit Semimajor:7405.2km (4,601.4miles)
Orbit Eccentricity:0.0102037
Orbit Period:105.8 minutes
Apsis:gee

The Transit Research and Attitude Control (TRAAC) satellite was launched by the U. S. Navy from Cape Canaveral along with Transit 4B on November 15, 1961.

Mission

The 109 kg satellite was used to test the feasibility of using gravity-gradient stabilization in Transit navigational satellites.[2] It provided information on the effects of radiation from nuclear explosions in space, as it was one of several satellites whose detectors provided data for the Starfish Prime test; ultimately its solar cells were damaged by the radiation and it ceased operation.[3] It was among several satellites which were inadvertently damaged or destroyed by the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test on July 9, 1962 and subsequent radiation belt. It is expected to orbit for 800 years at an altitude of about 950km (590miles).

Poem

The first poem to be launched into orbit about the Earth was inscribed on the instrument panel of TRAAC. Entitled Space Prober and written by Prof. Thomas G. Bergin of Yale University, it reads in part:

And now 'tis man who dares assault the sky...

And as we come to claim our promised place, aim only to repay the good you gave,

And warm with human love the chill of space.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TRAAC Satellite details 1961-031B NORAD 205. N2YO. February 7, 2014. February 7, 2014.
  2. Web site: TRAAC . Gunter's Space Pages . 2007-10-07.
  3. Web site: Wilmot N. . Hess . The Effects of High Altitude Explosions . . September 1964 . NASA TN D-2402 . 2017-11-28.
  4. Web site: Space Quotes . Space Educator's Handbook . . 2007-10-07 . https://archive.today/20121213140940/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/slsd/about/divisions/hefd/index.html . December 13, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .