Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 3: Space Vehicles |
NS-7 |
LS-6 ES-8 |
Copyright © 2003-2009 Jos Heyman (HTML formatting by Andreas Parsch) |
The designation NS-7A referred to the Navstar series of navigational satellite also known as Navigational Development Satellite (NDS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The satellites were developed for the US Navy by Rockwell and four satellites provided a positional fix with an accuracy of 30 m. It was also made available to civilian users. The 525 kg Navstar satellites were fitted with three rubidium clocks and one caesium clock. They transmitted at 1575.42 MHz for civilian users and at 1227.6 MHz for military users.
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Image: Author's collection |
NS-7A Navstar-1 (1978 020A) |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Navstar-1 | 1978 020A | 22-Feb-1978 | Also known as Ops-5111 | |
Navstar-2 | 1978 047A | 13-May-1978 | Also known as Ops-5112 | |
Navstar-3 | 1978 093A | 7-Oct-1978 | Also known as Ops-5113 | |
Navstar-4 | 1978 112A | 11-Dec-1978 | Also known as Ops-5114 | |
Navstar-5 | 1980 011A | 9-Feb-1980 | Also known as Ops-5117 | |
Navstar-6 | 1980 032A | 26-Apr-1980 | Also known as Ops-5118 | |
Navstar-7 | --- | 18-Dec-1981 | --- | Failed to orbit |
Navstar-8 | 1983 072A | 14-Jul-1983 | Also known as Ops-9794 | |
Navstar-9 | 1984 059A | 13-Jun-1984 | Also known as USA-1 | |
Navstar-10 | 1984 097A | 8-Sep-1984 | Also known as USA-5 | |
Navstar-11 | 1985 093A | 9-Oct-1985 | Also known as USA-10 |
Launch dates of the Navstar series
The Navstar 2 system, designated as NS-7B, was also built by Rockwell. The operational system consisted of 21 satellites. Each 1665 kg satellite was equipped with an atomic clock with an accuracy of 1 second in 300,000 years. The transmissions were at 1575.42 MHz for civilian purposes and 1227.6 MHz for military purposes.
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Image: Author's collection |
NS-7B Navstar 2-1 (1989 013A) |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Navstar 2-1 | 1989 013A | 14-Feb-1989 | Also known as USA-35 | |
Navstar 2-2 | 1989 044A | 10-Jun-1989 | Also known as USA-38 | |
Navstar 2-3 | 1989 064A | 18-Aug-1989 | Also known as USA-42 | |
Navstar 2-4 | 1989 085A | 21-Oct-1989 | Also known as USA-47 | |
Navstar 2-5 | 1989 097A | 11-Dec-1989 | Also known as USA-49 | |
Navstar 2-6 | 1990 008A | 24-Jan-1990 | Also known as USA-50 | |
Navstar 2-7 | 1990 025A | 26-Mar-1990 | Also known as USA-54 | |
Navstar 2-8 | 1990 068A | 2-Aug-1990 | Also known as USA-63 | |
Navstar 2-9 | 1990 088A | 1-Oct-1990 | Also known as USA-64 |
Launch dates of the Navstar 2 series
The Navstar 2A series, designated as NS-7C, was similar to the Navstar 2 series but carried improved instrumentation.
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Navstar 2A-1 | 1990 103A | 26-Nov-1990 | Also known as USA-66 | |
Navstar 2A-2 | 1991 047A | 4-Jul-1991 | Also known as USA-71 | |
Navstar 2A-3 | 1992 009A | 23-Feb-1992 | Also known as USA-79 | |
Navstar 2A-4 | 1992 019A | 10-Apr-1992 | Also known as USA-80 | |
Navstar 2A-5 | 1992 039A | 7-Jul-1992 | Also known as USA-83 | |
Navstar 2A-6 | 1992 058A | 9-Sep-1992 | Also known as USA-84 | |
Navstar 2A-7 | 1992 079A | 23-Nov-1992 | Also known as USA-85 | |
Navstar 2A-8 | 1992 089A | 18-Dec-1992 | Also known as USA-87 | |
Navstar 2A-9 | 1993 007A | 3-Feb-1993 | Also known as USA-88 | |
Navstar 2A-10 | 1993 017A | 30-Mar-1993 | Also known as USA-90 | |
Navstar 2A-11 | 1993 032A | 13-May-1993 | Also known as USA-91 | |
Navstar 2A-12 | 1993 042A | 26-Jun-1993 | Also known as USA-92 | |
Navstar 2A-13 | 1993 054A | 30-Aug-1993 | Also known as USA-94 | |
Navstar 2A-14 | 1993 068A | 26-Oct-1993 | Also known as USA-96 | |
Navstar 2A-15 | 1994 016A | 10-Mar-1994 | Also known as USA-100 | |
Navstar 2A-16 | 1996 019A | 28-Mar-1996 | Also known as USA-117 | |
Navstar 2A-17 | 1996 041A | 16-Jul-1996 | Also known as USA-126 | |
Navstar 2A-18 | 1996 056A | 12-Sep-1996 | Also known as USA-128 | |
Navstar 2A-19 | 1997 067A | 5-Nov-1997 | Also known as USA-134 |
Launch dates of the Navstar 2A series
Further improvements to the instrumentation was introduced with the Navstar 2R ("R" for "replenishment") series, which was also designated as NS-7D. Whilst these satellites used the original Rockwell design, they were in fact built by Lockheed Martin. Navstar 2R-M was a "modernised" version (hence the "M") of the 2R series. The series used the remaining eight unlaunched 2R satellites but converted with increased power for existing signals and two new military signals as well as a second civilian signal, along with a redesigned external antenna panel and more efficient transmitters. The mass of the satellites increased by 28 kg to 2073 kg.
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Image: Lockheed Martin |
NS-7D |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Navstar 2R-1 | --- | 17-Jan-1997 | --- | Failed to orbit |
Navstar 2R-2 | 1997 035A | 23-Jul-1997 | Also known as USA-132 | |
Navstar 2R-3 | 1999 055A | 7-Oct-1999 | Also known as USA-145 | |
Navstar 2R-4 | 2000 025A | 11-May-2000 | Also known as USA-150 | |
Navstar 2R-5 | 2000 040A | 16-Jul-2000 | Also known as USA-151 | |
Navstar 2R-6 | 2000 071A | 10-Nov-2000 | Also known as USA-154 | |
Navstar 2R-7 | 2001 004A | 30-Jan-2001 | Also known as USA-156 | |
Navstar 2R-8 | 2003 005A | 29-Jan-2003 | Also known as USA-166 | |
Navstar 2R-9 | 2003 010A | 31-Mar-2003 | Also known as USA-168 | |
Navstar 2R-10 | 2003 058A | 21-Dec-2003 | Also known as USA-175 | |
Navstar 2R-11 | 2004 009A | 20-Mar-2004 | Also known as USA-177 | |
Navstar 2R-12 | 2004 023A | 23-Jun-2004 | Also known as USA-178 | |
Navstar 2R-13 | 2004 045A | 6-Nov-2004 | Also known as USA-180 | |
Navstar 2R-14 | 2005 038A | 26-Sep-2005 | Also known as USA-183 | |
Navstar 2R-15 | 2006 042A | 26-Sep-2006 | Also known as USA-190 | |
Navstar 2R-16 | 2006 052A | 17-Nov-2005 | Also known as USA-192 | |
Navstar 2R-17 | 2007 047A | 17-Oct-2007 | Also known as USA-196 | |
Navstar 2R-18 | 2007 062A | 20-Dec-2007 | Also known as USA-199 | |
Navstar 2R-19 | 2008 012A | 15-Mar-2008 | Also known as USA-201 |
Launch dates of the Navstar 2R series
The designation NS-7E refers to the Navstar 2F series of satellites. Boeing (which now owns Rockwell) has received an order to build six against a requirement of 33 by 2012. As it is recognised that over the years that the Navstar 2F series will be launched, technology and needs will change, Boeing has adopted a modular approach which will allow them to meet those changes.
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Image: Boeing |
NS-7E |
Navigational satellites are essentially radio transmitters of which the orbital positions are known. Through analysing the signals from three satellites, a navigator is not only able to determine his longitude and latitude but also, where appropriate, his altitude.
The early navigational satellites in the Transit series used a radio-Doppler navigation method in which the ship's position was calculated from the observed change in the received frequency of the satellite radio transmission as the satellite passes across the sky. This technique is based on the principle that the orbit of a satellite can be accurately computed by the analysis of the Doppler shift of the radio transmissions by the satellites. The accuracy is, however, limited by the frequency stability of the satellite transmissions and the ability to predict the satellite's orbit between the time it is measured by a ground tracking station and the time the user observed the satellite.
Another method is based on time ranging. Here the user calculates his distance from a satellite by a measurement of the time that the radio signal of the satellite takes to cover the distance to the receiver. To achieve a reasonable accuracy, this method requires three separate satellites and a very accurate clock.
The early navigational satellites of the United States were of an experimental nature. They were sponsored by the U.S. Navy and were built by RCA. The Transit-1A and -2 series carried two ultrastable oscillators, an electronic clock and four frequency transmitters which operated in the 162/216 MHz and 53/324 MHz bands. Transit-3 carried in addition a small magnetic memory. The Transit-4 series, which was of a different design, was unique in that they carried a Supplementary Nuclear Power (SNAP) source to generate the satellite's power requirements. Transmitters operated at 150/400 MHz. The Transit-5 series satellites were of an octagonal shape and carried dual frequency transmitters as well as a 30 m gravity gradient stabilisation boom. The 5A sub-series were powered by solar cells whilst the 5B sub-series carried a SNAP-9A nuclear power source. The 5C sub-series reverted again to solar cells.
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Image: Author's collection |
Transit-5C1 (1964 026A) |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Transit-1A | --- | 17-Sep-1959 | --- | Failed to orbit |
Transit-1B | 1960 γ2 | 13-Apr-1960 | 5-Oct-1967 | |
Transit-2A | 1960 η1 | 22-Jun-1960 | ||
Transit-3A | --- | 30-Nov-1960 | --- | Failed to orbit |
Transit-3B | 1961 η1 | 21-Feb-1961 | 30-Mar-1961 | Failed to separate from Lofti-1 |
Transit-4A | 1961 ο1 | 29-Jun-1961 | ||
Transit-4B | 1961 αη1 | 15-Nov-1961 | ||
Transit-5A1 | 1962 βψ1 | 19-Dec-1962 | 25-Sep-1986 | |
Transit-5A2 | --- | 5-Apr-1963 | --- | Also known as Ops-0804; failed to orbit |
Transit-5A3 | 1963 022A | 16-Jun-1963 | 3-Aug-1990 | |
Transit-5BN1 | 1963 038B | 28-Sep-1963 | ||
Transit-5BN2 | 1963 049B | 5-Dec-1963 | ||
Transit-5BN3 | --- | 21-Apr-1964 | --- | Failed to orbit |
Transit-5C1 | 1964 026A | 4-Jun-1964 | Also known as Ops-4412 |
Launch dates of the Transit series
The Navy Navigational Satellite System (NNSS), also called Oscar or Transit-O, was the first operational system. The principal objective was to provide positioning facilities with an accuracy of 150 m to submarines carrying Polaris missiles. At a later stage the system was also made available to civilian users. The satellites transmitted at 150 MHz and 400 MHz. Whilst six satellites provide a useful coverage, additional satellites have been launched as in-orbit spares. The satellites had an initial mass of 32 kg and in total 32 were built by RCA. They have been identified by the third and fourth characters in the numeric designation whilst the meaning of the numeric '3' is not known.
A number of the satellites were converted for other uses as Transat (#11), P76-5 (#15), Hilat (#16) and Polar Bear (#17). Spacecraft #22 was used in 1992 ground tests to assess the impact of aluminium projectiles bombarded onto the spacecraft structure. Of the remaining spacecraft #21, #26 and #28, one was given to Naval Post Graduate School and two went to the Applied Research Laboratory of the University of Texas, Austin. Of these three, one was destroyed in impact tests like spacecraft #22. The satellites launched in the 1985/88 period are sometimes referred to as Stacked Oscar On Scout (SOOS).
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Image: Author's collection |
NNSS-30010 (1964 063B) |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
NNSS-30010 | 1964 063B | 6-Oct-1964 | Also known as Ops-5798 | |
NNSS-30020 | 1964 083D | 12-Dec-1964 | Also known as Ops-6582 | |
NNSS-30030 | 1965 017A | 11-Mar-1965 | 14-Jun-1965 | Also known as Ops-7087 |
NNSS-30040 | 1965 048A | 24-Jun-1965 | Also known as Ops-8480 | |
NNSS-30050 | 1965 065F | 13-Aug-1965 | Also known as Ops-8464 | |
NNSS-30060 | 1965 109A | 21-Dec-1965 | Also known as Ops-1509 | |
NNSS-30070 | 1966 005A | 28-Jan-1966 | Also known as Ops-1593 | |
NNSS-30080 | 1966 024A | 26-Mar-1966 | Also known as Ops-1117 | |
NNSS-30090 | 1966 041A | 19-May-1966 | Also known as Ops-0082 | |
NNSS-30100 | 1966 076A | 18-Aug-1966 | Also known as Ops-2366 | |
NNSS-30110 | --- | --- | --- | Used as Transat |
NNSS-30120 | 1967 034A | 14-Apr-1967 | Also known as Ops-0100 | |
NNSS-30130 | 1967 048A | 18-May-1967 | Also known as Ops-7218 | |
NNSS-30140 | 1967 092A | 25-Sep-1967 | Also known as Ops-4947 | |
NNSS-30150 | --- | --- | --- | Used as P76-5 |
NNSS-30160 | --- | --- | --- | Used as Hilat |
NNSS-30170 | --- | --- | --- | Used as Polar Bear |
NNSS-30180 | 1968 012A | 2-Mar-1968 | Also known as Ops-7034 | |
NNSS-30190 | 1970 067A | 27-Aug-1970 | ||
NNSS-30200 | 1973 081A | 30-Oct-1973 | ||
NNSS-30210 | --- | --- | --- | Not used |
NNSS-30220 | --- | --- | --- | Expended in tests, 1992 |
NNSS-30230 | 1988 033A | 26-Apr-1988 | ||
NNSS-30240 | 1985 066A | 3-Aug-1985 | ||
NNSS-30250 | 1988 074A | 25-Aug-1988 | ||
NNSS-30260 | --- | --- | --- | Not used |
NNSS-30270 | 1987 080A | 16-Sep-1987 | ||
NNSS-30280 | --- | --- | --- | Not used |
NNSS-30290 | 1987 080B | 16-Sep-1987 | ||
NNSS-30300 | 1985 066B | 3-Aug-1985 | ||
NNSS-30310 | 1988 074B | 25-Aug-1988 | ||
NNSS-30320 | 1988 033B | 26-Apr-1988 |
Launch dates of the NNSS series
The Timation or Navigation Technology Satellites (NTS) series tested new equipment to be used in the Global Positioning System (GPS). Timation-1 carried two high-precision quartz clocks for accurate measurements based on a three dimensional navigation technique. Timation-2 carried improved equipment and a dual frequency transmitter operating at 150/400 MHz. In addition Timation-3 or NTS-1 carried two rubidium vapor atomic clocks and operated at the 335 MHz and 1580 MHz frequencies whilst NTS-2 tested a ceasium clock. The satellite also carried an experimental solar array.
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Image: Author's collection |
Timation-1 (1967 053E) |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Timation-1 | 1967 053E | 31-May-1967 | ||
Timation-2 | 1969 082A | 30-Sep-1969 | 30-Oct-1970 | Also known as Ops-7613 |
Timation-3 | 1974 054A | 14-Jul-1974 | Also known as NTS-1 and Ops-7518 | |
NTS-2 | 1977 053A | 23-Jun-1977 |
Launch dates of the Timation/NTS series
The satellites in the Transit Improvement Program (TIP) were considered as a precursor to the Nova series and incorporated the Disturbance Compensating System (Discos), hence Transit Improved And Discos (Triad), which was designed to maintain position in orbit by correcting disturbances caused by solar wind and atmospheric resistance. In addition TIP-1 carried a radio-isotope thermal generator.
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
TIP-1 | 1972 069A | 2-Sep-1972 | Also known as Triad | |
TIP-2 | 1975 099A | 12-Oct-1975 | 26-May-1991 | |
TIP-3 | 1976 089A | 1-Sep-1976 | 30-May-1981 |
Launch dates of the TIP series
The Nova military navigational satellite had a mass of 166 kg and tested new instruments and techniques. They also carried a tri-axis vector magnetometer, four solar detectors and an internal mass displacement detector.
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Image: Author's collection |
Nova-1 (1981 044A) |
Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Re-entry | Notes |
Nova-1 | 1981 044A | 15-May-1981 | Also known as NNSS 30480 | |
Nova-2 | 1988 052A | 16-Jun-1988 | Also known as NNSS 30490 | |
Nova-3 | 1984 110A | 12-Oct-1984 | Also known as NNSS 30450 |
Launch dates of the Nova series
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 3