Names LCS-1 Operator MIT Lincoln Laboratory Spacecraft LCS-1 Launch date 6 May 1965 Apogee 2.7 million m Rocket Titan IIIA | Mission type radar calibration COSPAR ID 1965-034C Spacecraft type Aluminium sphere Period 2.4 hours Mission duration 11 months Manufacturer Rohr, Inc. | |
Similar Kosmos 97, Solrad 8, Kosmos 96 | ||
The Lincoln Calibration Sphere 1, or LCS-1, is a large aluminium sphere in Earth orbit since 6 May 1965. It is the oldest spacecraft still in use, having lasted for over 50 years. It was launched along with the Lincoln Experimental Satellite-2 on a Titan IIIA. It is technically the oldest operational spacecraft, but it has no power supply or fuel; it is merely a metal sphere. It has been used for radar calibration since its launch. It was built by Rohr. Corp. for the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
LCS-1 is a hollow sphere 1.12 m (3 ft 8 in) in diameter with a wall thickness of 3.2 mm (0.13 in). The sphere was constructed from two hemispheres, made by spinning sheet metal over a mold. These hemispheres were fastened to an internal, circumferential hoop by 440 countersunk screws, then milled and polished.
Before being launched to orbit, the optical cross section of the LCS-1 was measured in L, S, C, X and K microwave bands. Four other spheres were also manufactured and measured for comparison to the one in orbit.