# Transit 2A

> American naval navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q9361179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9361179)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/transit-2a

## Summary
Transit 2A was an American naval navigation satellite launched on June 22, 1960, as part of the Transit satellite system. It was designed for military and geodetic purposes, providing precise positioning data for naval operations. The satellite had a mass of 101 kilograms and operated in a low Earth orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: June 22, 1960
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Ablestar
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17
- **Mass**: 101 kilograms
- **Orbital Period**: 100.55 minutes
- **Apoapsis**: 967 kilometers
- **Periapsis**: 603 kilometers
- **Orbital Inclination**: 66.69 degrees
- **Parent System**: Transit
- **Classifications**: Military satellite, geodetic satellite
- **COSPAR ID**: 1960-007A

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Transit 2A?
A: Transit 2A was a naval navigation satellite designed to provide precise positioning data for military and geodetic applications, supporting naval operations and geodetic research.

### Q: Which launch vehicle was used to deploy Transit 2A?
A: Transit 2A was launched using the Thor-Ablestar rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 on June 22, 1960.

### Q: What was the orbital period of Transit 2A?
A: Transit 2A had an orbital period of 100.55 minutes, completing an orbit around Earth approximately every 100.55 minutes.

### Q: What were the key orbital parameters of Transit 2A?
A: Transit 2A had an apoapsis of 967 kilometers, a periapsis of 603 kilometers, and an orbital inclination of 66.69 degrees.

### Q: What is the Transit 2A's COSPAR ID?
A: The COSPAR ID for Transit 2A is 1960-007A.

## Why It Matters
Transit 2A was a critical component of the early Transit satellite system, which revolutionized naval navigation by providing accurate positioning data for military operations. As a geodetic satellite, it also contributed to geodetic research, helping to refine Earth's shape and gravitational field. The satellite's successful deployment demonstrated the feasibility of using satellites for precise navigation, paving the way for modern GPS technology. Transit 2A's role in the military and scientific communities underscores its significance as a pioneering satellite in the space age.

## Notable For
- **First Naval Navigation Satellite**: Transit 2A was one of the first satellites specifically designed for naval navigation, providing real-time positioning data for military operations.
- **Military and Geodetic Dual Use**: It served both military and geodetic purposes, contributing to naval precision and geodetic research.
- **Low Earth Orbit**: Transit 2A operated in a low Earth orbit, with an orbital period of 100.55 minutes, allowing for frequent coverage and data transmission.
- **Thor-Ablestar Launch**: The satellite was launched using the Thor-Ablestar rocket, a key launch system of the era.
- **Cape Canaveral Launch**: It was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, a significant spaceport for early U.S. space missions.

## Body
### Overview
Transit 2A was an American naval navigation satellite launched on June 22, 1960, as part of the Transit satellite system. It was designed to provide precise positioning data for military and geodetic applications, supporting naval operations and geodetic research.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 101 kilograms
- **Orbital Period**: 100.55 minutes
- **Apoapsis**: 967 kilometers
- **Periapsis**: 603 kilometers
- **Orbital Inclination**: 66.69 degrees
- **COSPAR ID**: 1960-007A

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: June 22, 1960
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Ablestar
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17

### Classification and Purpose
- **Classifications**: Military satellite, geodetic satellite
- **Parent System**: Transit

### Significance
Transit 2A played a pivotal role in the early development of satellite-based navigation systems, providing critical data for military and scientific applications. Its successful deployment demonstrated the potential of satellites for precise positioning, laying the groundwork for modern GPS technology. The satellite's contributions to naval navigation and geodetic research highlight its importance in the history of space exploration.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report