Stats[]
| Category. | Statistic. |
|---|---|
| Launch vehicle. | Thor DM-21 Ablestar. |
| Launch date. | November 15, 1961, 22:26 UTC. |
| Launch site. | Cape Canaveral LC-12. |
| Ceased operations. | August 12, 1962. Fatally damaged by the in the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test of July 9, 1962, and shorted ou that August. |
| Owner(s). | The Untied States Navy (USN). |
| Major contractor(s). | The Untied States Navy (USN). |
| Is it still in orbit. | Yes, until 2762. |
| Launch mass. | 109 kilograms (240 lb). |
| Nationality(s). | American. |
| Satellite type. | Technology test. |
| Links. | http://www.acronymfinder.com/Transit-Research-and-Attitude-Control-(satellite)-(TRAAC).html, http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Transit_Research_and_Attitude_Control, http://www.esacademic.com/dic.nsf/eswiki/1122080, http://www.digplanet.com/wiki/Transit_Research_and_Attitude_Control, http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/Transit+Research+and+Attitude+Control and http://www.eduteka.pl/temat/Transit-Research-and-Attitude-Control. |
History[]
An artist's impression of TRAAC in orbit.
The first poem to be launched into Earth orbit was one that was inscribed on to the instrument panel of TRAAC. It was entitled Space Prober and written by Prof. Thomas G. Bergin of Yale University in the USA.
It reads in part:
- "And now 'tis man who dares assault the sky...
- And as we come to claim our promised place, aim only to repay the good you gave,
- And warm with human love the chill of space."
Several satellites inadvertently damaged or destroyed by the in the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test of July 9, 1962, and subsequent long turn temporary radiation belt.
A total of 7 satellites failed over the months following the test as radiation damaged their solar arrays or electronics, including the first commercial relay communication satellite, Telstar. just under 1/3 of all low orbit satellites were inoperative after the test created a temporary artificial radiation belt. Detectors on Telstar, TRAAC, the Injun 1 and Ariel 1 were used to measure distribution of the radiation produced by the tests, of which only the Injun 1. Ariel 1, TRAAC, and Transit 4B were destroyed, while Kosmos 5, Injun II and Telstar 1 suffered minor damage by radiation on solar cells and alike. Telstar finally shorted out after 3 months.