Mission type Geodesic research SATCAT № 00446 Launch date 31 October 1962 Inclination 50.1° Launch mass 161 kg | COSPAR ID 1962-060A Inclination 50.1° Period 1.8 hours Launch mass 161 kg | |
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Similar Kosmos 4, Kosmos 2, Venera 2MV‑1 N, Alouette 1 | ||
ANNA 1B (acronym for "Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force") was a United States satellite launched on October 31, 1962 from Cape Canaveral, by rocket Thor.
Features
ANNA 1B's predecessor launched on May 10, 1962, but failed to reach orbit.
ANNA 1B was a US Navy geodetic satellite launched from Cape Canaveral by a Thor Able Star rocket. The mission consists of ANNA serving as a reference for making precise geodetic surveys, allowing measurement of the force and direction of the gravitational field of the Earth, locating the middle of land masses and establishing surface positions.
ANNA 1B was spherically shaped with a diameter of 0.91 meters and a weight of 161 kg. It was powered by a band of solar cells located around its equator supported by nickel-cadmium batteries. A communications antenna was wrapped around the spiral surface of the satellite.
The ship's instrumentation included optical systems, radio location, and Doppler radar. The optical system consists of a high intensity beacon which transmits a series of five flashes with a period of 5.6 seconds. This allows the system to accurately measure land masses by satellite photographs. The Doppler radar system can also be programmed from the ground control station. The optical system provides Doppler radar positioning with an accuracy of 20 meters or less.