# Radar Fence Transponder

> former American amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q15261052](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15261052)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_Fence_Transponder)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/radar-fence-transponder

## Summary
Radar Fence Transponder (also known as RAFT-1, Navy-OSCAR 60, NO-60, or RAFT) was a former American amateur radio satellite and technology demonstration spacecraft. It was a 5 kg cube-shaped satellite built and operated by the United States Naval Academy.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of technology demonstration spacecraft, amateur radio satellite, and small satellite.
- **Country:** United States of America.
- **Launch:** Deployed on December 10, 2006, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B aboard Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-116).
- **Operator:** United States Naval Academy.
- **Physical Dimensions:** 12.7 cm (length) x 12.7 cm (width) x 12.7 cm (height).
- **Mass:** 5 kg (launch weight).
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array.
- **Mission End:** Underwent atmospheric entry and decayed on May 30, 2007.
- **Other Payloads on Launch:** Co-launched with MARScom, ANDE-MAA, and ANDE-FCal.
- **Designation:** International Designator: 2006-055C.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Radar Fence Transponder?
A: Radar Fence Transponder served as a technology demonstration spacecraft. It was designed to test and demonstrate the functionality of a radar fence transponder system, which is crucial for space situational awareness. It also operated in the amateur-satellite service.

### Q: When and how was Radar Fence Transponder launched?
A: It was launched on December 10, 2006, at 01:47:35 UTC. The launch occurred from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B using the Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-116 mission. It was deployed as a secondary payload.

### Q: What happened to Radar Fence Transponder after launch?
A: The satellite was deployed into orbit on December 21, 2006. It operated until May 30, 2007, when it re-entered Earth's atmosphere and subsequently decayed.

### Q: Who built and operated Radar Fence Transponder?
A: Radar Fence Transponder was built and operated by the United States Naval Academy.

## Why It Matters
Radar Fence Transponder was significant primarily as a technology demonstrator for radar fence transponders. These devices are essential components in modern space surveillance and tracking systems, allowing operators to precisely locate and identify objects in orbit. Successfully testing this technology on a small, affordable satellite like RAFT-1 provided valuable data for improving space situational awareness capabilities. Its development and operation by the US Naval Academy also demonstrated the practical application of amateur radio principles and educational value in developing and launching small satellites, contributing to the broader field of small satellite technology.

## Notable For
- Being a specific instance of a technology demonstration spacecraft focused on radar fence transponder testing.
- Its designation as Navy-OSCAR 60 (NO-60), part of the amateur radio satellite series.
- Its extremely compact cubic dimensions (12.7 cm³).
- Its extremely short operational lifetime (approx. 5 months) due to atmospheric decay.
- Being one of three (MARScom, ANDE-MAA, ANDE-FCal) technology demonstration satellites deployed alongside it on STS-116.

## Body
### General Information
Radar Fence Transponder is a former American artificial satellite. It operated within the amateur-satellite service. The satellite is also widely known by its aliases: RAFT-1, Navy-OSCAR 60 (NO-60), and RAFT.

### Development and Operation
*   **Manufacturer:** United States Naval Academy.
*   **Operator:** United States Naval Academy.
*   **Website:** [http://www.aprs.org/raft.html](http://www.aprs.org/raft.html) (English).

### Launch and Deployment
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Space Shuttle.
*   **Specific Shuttle:** Discovery (STS-116).
*   **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.
*   **Launch Date:** 2006-12-10 at 01:47:35 UTC.
*   **International Designator:** 2006-055C.
*   **Co-launched Payloads:** MARScom, ANDE-MAA, ANDE-FCal.
*   **Deployment Date:** 2006-12-21.

### Physical Characteristics
*   **Form Factor:** Small satellite (class).
*   **Dimensions:** 12.7 cm (Length) x 12.7 cm (Width) x 12.7 cm (Height).
*   **Mass:** 5 kg (Launch weight).
*   **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array.

### Mission Timeline and End
*   **Atmospheric Entry/Decay:** 2007-05-30 circa 02:00 UTC.
*   **Significant Events:**
    *   Rocket Launch (2006-12-10, Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, STS-116).
    *   Deployment (2006-12-21).
    *   Atmospheric Entry (2007-05-30).
*   **Time of Object Orbit Decay:** 2007-05-30 circa 02:00 UTC.
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 2006-055C.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2006-055C.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/raft1_marscom.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=2006-055C)
4. [Source](http://www.aprs.org/craft/save-raft.html)
5. [Source](http://www.aprs.org/ande-raft-ops.html)