Transit Research and Attitude Control
{{Short description|Satellite}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Transit Research and Attitude Control (TRAAC)
| image = TRAAC (330-PSA-262-61, USN 710980, 21836863865) (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = Artist's impression of TRAAC in orbit
| mission_type = Technology
| operator = United States Navy
| Harvard_designation = 1961 Alpha Eta 2
| SATCAT = 205
| mission_duration = 270 days
| manufacturer =
| launch_mass = {{convert|109|kg|lb}}
| dimensions =
| launch_date = {{start date text|November 15, 1961, 22:26|timezone=yes}} UTC
| launch_rocket = Thor DM-21 Ablestar
| launch_site = Cape Canaveral LC-17B
| last_contact = {{end date text|August 12, 1962}}
| decay_date =
| orbit_epoch = February 7, 2014, 04:46:58 UTC{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=205|title=TRAAC Satellite details 1961-031B NORAD 205|work=N2YO|date=February 7, 2014|accessdate=February 7, 2014}}
| orbit_reference = Geocentric
| orbit_regime = Low Earth
| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|958|km|mi|sp=us}}
| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|1109|km|mi|sp=us}}
| orbit_inclination = 32.44 degrees
| orbit_semimajor = {{convert|7405.20|km|mi|sp=us}}
| orbit_eccentricity = 0.0102037
| orbit_period = 105.8 minutes
| apsis = gee
}}
The Transit Research and Attitude Control (TRAAC) satellite was launched by the U. S. Navy from Cape Canaveral along with Transit 4B on November 15, 1961.
Mission
The 109 kg satellite was used to test the feasibility of using gravity-gradient stabilization in Transit navigational satellites.{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/traac.htm |title=TRAAC |work=Gunter's Space Pages |accessdate=2007-10-07}} It provided information on the effects of radiation from nuclear explosions in space, as it was one of several satellites whose detectors provided data for the Starfish Prime test; ultimately its solar cells were damaged by the radiation and it ceased operation.{{cite web |first=Wilmot N. |last=Hess |title=The Effects of High Altitude Explosions |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=September 1964 |url=http://www.futurescience.com/emp/Hess-Wilmot.pdf |id=NASA TN D-2402 |accessdate=2017-11-28}} It was among several satellites which were inadvertently damaged or destroyed by the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test on July 9, 1962, and subsequent radiation belt. It is expected to orbit for 800 years at an altitude of about {{convert|950|km|mi|sp=us}}.
Poem
The first poem to be launched into orbit about the Earth was inscribed on the instrument panel of TRAAC. Entitled Space Prober and written by Prof. Thomas G. Bergin of Yale University, 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.{{cite web |url=http://www1.jsc.nasa.gov/er/seh/quotes.html |title=Space Quotes |work=Space Educator's Handbook |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2007-10-07 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121213140940/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/slsd/about/divisions/hefd/index.html |archivedate=December 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
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References
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{{Orbital launches in 1961}}
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Category:Satellites orbiting Earth
Category:Spacecraft launched in 1961
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