# LOFTI-1
**Wikidata**: [Q6459486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6459486)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOFTI-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lofti-1

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **LOFTI-1**:

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## Summary  
LOFTI-1 was a research satellite launched in 1961 to study low-frequency radio transmissions in Earth's ionosphere. It was part of early space-based scientific experiments and was carried into orbit aboard a Thor-Ablestar rocket. The mission aimed to advance understanding of radio wave propagation in space.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** February 22, 1961  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor-Ablestar  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-007A  
- **Satellite catalog number (SCN):** 00087  
- **Class:** Research satellite (designed for scientific experiments)  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch on February 22, 1961, from Cape Canaveral  
- **Image available:** [LOFTI-1 on Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/LOFTI_1.jpg)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of LOFTI-1?  
A: LOFTI-1 was designed to study low-frequency radio transmissions in Earth's ionosphere, contributing to early space-based radio wave research.  

### Q: What rocket launched LOFTI-1?  
A: It was launched aboard a Thor-Ablestar, an American expendable launch system.  

### Q: Where was LOFTI-1 launched from?  
A: It lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 in Florida.  

## Why It Matters  
LOFTI-1 represented an early effort to explore the ionosphere's role in radio communication, a critical area for both scientific and military applications during the Cold War era. Its findings helped lay groundwork for later satellite communications and space research. Though less famous than contemporaneous missions, LOFTI-1 contributed to the broader understanding of space environment interactions with radio signals, influencing future satellite designs and atmospheric studies.

## Notable For  
- **Early ionospheric research:** One of the first satellites focused on low-frequency radio wave propagation.  
- **Thor-Ablestar launch:** Demonstrated the use of this launch vehicle for scientific payloads.  
- **Cold War context:** Part of the U.S. effort to advance space-based technology during the Space Race.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on **February 22, 1961**, as part of a secondary payload mission.  
- Primary goal: Study how low-frequency radio waves behave in the ionosphere.  

### Technical Details  
- **COSPAR designation:** 1961-007A  
- **Satellite catalog number:** 00087  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B (historical records indicate this as the likely pad).  

### Legacy  
- Provided data foundational for later communication satellite designs.  
- Marked an early example of multi-payload launches using the Thor-Ablestar system.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report