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Navigational Satellite, Transit 5-A, 1960s. Creator: Johns Hopkins University Applied
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Navigational Satellite, Transit 5-A, 1960s. Creator: Johns Hopkins University Applied
Beginning in the 1960s, the United States Navy began developing a communications and navigation satellite program to meet the needs of ships at sea and submarines. One result of this program was the Transit satellite series, designed and built to Navy specifications by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. Submarines received radio signals from a Transit satellite, whose orbit was known to great accuracy, as it passed overhead. The change in frequency of the signal due to the Doppler effect told the submarine that the satellite was directly overhead. The submarine commander could establish a position without having to surface and take reading on stars--the traditional method of navigation, but a risky one for a submarine. The Transit V-A satellite is an operational backup to the Transit series and was donated to NASM by the JHU Applied Physics Lab in late 1984
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Media ID 23872151
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Air And Space Museum Nasm National Air And Space Museum Navigation Navigational Device Navigational Instrument Satellite Space Space Travel Spacecraft
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print captures the Navigational Satellite, Transit 5-A, a groundbreaking creation by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in the 1960s. Developed to address the communication and navigation needs of ships at sea and submarines, this satellite series revolutionized underwater navigation. Submarines relied on radio signals transmitted by the Transit satellite as it passed overhead. By detecting the change in frequency caused by the Doppler effect, submariners could determine when the satellite was directly above them. This allowed them to establish their position without surfacing or relying on star readings—a risky endeavor for a submarine. The significance of this navigational device cannot be overstated. It provided an alternative method for submarines to safely navigate through uncharted waters with precision and accuracy. The United States Navy's commitment to developing such advanced technology demonstrates its dedication to enhancing maritime operations. Donated to the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in late 1984, this operational backup of the Transit series serves as a testament to American ingenuity and scientific progress during that era. This photograph not only showcases an important milestone in space exploration but also highlights how advancements in technology have shaped our world today. The Navigational Satellite, Transit 5-A, stands as a symbol of human innovation and our relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond Earth's boundaries.
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