# Transit 3B

> American satellite designed to study geodesy

**Wikidata**: [Q7834334](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7834334)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_3B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/transit-3b

## Summary
Transit 3B was an American geodetic satellite launched in 1961 to study Earth's shape and gravitational field. It was part of the Transit program and deployed using a Thor-Ablestar rocket from Cape Canaveral.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** February 22, 1961  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-007A  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Ablestar  
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17  
- **Purpose:** Geodesy research (study of Earth's shape and gravitational field)  
- **Satellite Class:** Geodetic satellite  
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00087"]  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch on 1961-02-22 at Cape Canaveral  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Transit 3B?  
A: Transit 3B was designed to study geodesy, specifically Earth's shape and gravitational field, contributing to scientific understanding and navigation accuracy.  

### Q: What rocket launched Transit 3B?  
A: It was launched aboard a Thor-Ablestar, an American expendable launch system.  

### Q: Where was Transit 3B launched from?  
A: It lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 in Florida.  

## Why It Matters  
Transit 3B played a crucial role in advancing geodesy, the science of measuring Earth's geometric shape and gravitational field. Its data helped improve global navigation systems and mapping accuracy, laying groundwork for modern satellite-based positioning technologies like GPS. By refining our understanding of Earth's geophysical properties, Transit 3B contributed to both military and civilian applications, from missile guidance to maritime navigation.  

## Notable For  
- One of the early geodetic satellites launched by the U.S.  
- Part of the Transit program, a precursor to GPS.  
- Launched aboard Thor-Ablestar, a notable early American rocket.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** February 22, 1961  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17  
- **Vehicle:** Thor-Ablestar  

### Mission Objectives  
- Study Earth's gravitational field and shape.  
- Provide data for improving geodetic models.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Satellite Class:** Geodetic satellite  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1961-007A  
- **Wolfram Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00087"]  

### Legacy  
- Contributed to advancements in satellite navigation.  
- Part of foundational research enabling modern GPS systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report