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Class: Technology. Type: Navigation. Destination: Medium Earth Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: U.S. Navy.

Demonstrated navigation technologies.

Typical orbit: 16897 km circular orbit, 94.4 deg inclination. Mass: 362 kg (798 lb).


NTS Chronology
  • 1974 July 14 - NTS 1 - Program: Navstar. Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Mass: 293 kg (645 lb). Perigee: 13,446 km (8,354 mi). Apogee: 13,774 km (8,558 mi). Inclination: 125.20 deg. Period: 468.70 min.
    Demonstrated navigation technologies leading eventually to Navstar/GPS system. Operated for 5 years.

  • 1977 June 23 - NTS 2 - Program: Navstar. Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Mass: 431 kg (950 lb). Perigee: 20,115 km (12,498 mi). Apogee: 20,256 km (12,586 mi). Inclination: 63.90 deg. Period: 718.10 min.
    Navigation Technical Satellite; GPS precursor. Operated 50% satisfactorily -- still operating 25 years later.


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