Transit 5E-1, International Designator 1963-038C, is an artificial satellite of the United States Department of Defense and launched on September 28, 1963, aboard a Thor rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base.[1]

Transit 5E-1
Transit 5E-1
Mission typeCharged particle research
Magnetospheric
Solar research
Geodesy
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID1963-038C Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.00671Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration11 years
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass59 kilograms (130 lb)
Dimensions0.46 m x 0.25 m
Start of mission
Launch date28 September 1963, 20:22 (1963-09-28UTC20:22Z) UTC
RocketThor DSV-2A Ablestar
Launch siteVandenberg LC-75-1-1
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
Semi-major axis7,470.7 kilometers (4,642.1 mi)
Perigee altitude1,070.9 kilometers (665.4 mi)
Apogee altitude1,128.5 kilometers (701.2 mi)
Inclination90.1 degrees
Period107.1 minutes

Launch

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Transit 5E-1 was launched to study charged particles, magnetic fields and solar spectra, as well as for geodetic research.[2]

It was launched to a polar orbit, from where it did geomagnetic and geodetic measurements. Electrical power was produced by four solar panels.[2] After August 1969, the satellite did measurements infrequently. The last data were transmitted in November, 1974.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Vandenberg SLC2E (launch on 28 September 1963)". astronautix.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter D. "Transit-5E 1 (S/N 39)"". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "1963-038C (Transit 5E1)". NASA. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
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