1961-015A
The Transit IVA satellite tested out the SNAP 3A radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), a nuclear power supply. The spacecraft bus was a new cylindrical design and used magnetic rather than yo-yo despin. The SR and Injun satellites separated from Transit.
The Ablestar rocket exploded when residual propellants ignited.
Gatland (1961) reports a launch time of 1623 UTC (1223 EDT), 12 hours off from the value I have.
| Transit IVA | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 Jun 29 | 0423 | Launch by Thor Ablestar | CC LC17 |
| 0425 | Thor sep | ||
| 0426? | Ablestar burn 1 | ||
| Ablestar MECO | 150? x 1000? x 66 | ||
| Ablestar burn 2 | |||
| 0451 | Ablestar MECO-2 | ||
| Ablestar sep | |||
| SR/Injun sep | |||
| 881 x 998 x 66.81 | |||
| 0608:10 | Ablestar exploded | ||
| 1961 Jul 15 | Solar cell experiment end of ops | ||
| 1970 May | Beacon still transmitting | ||
| 1974? | End of transmissions? | ||
Payload:
- Beacons C 54/324 MHz Z 150/400 MHz
- SNAP 3A RTG
- Solar cell test panel
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