Triad 1 (TIP 1, NNS)

Triad 1 [US Navy]

Triad, later known as TIP (Transit Improvement Program) was a program to improve the accuracy of the Transit navigation system. This three-body spacecraft was connected by booms which served as gravity-gradient stabilizers in the radial direction. A momentum wheel was used for stabilization in roll and yaw. The primary function of the spacecraft was to test various concepts for improving the USN Transit Navigation System. The main improvement was, that the spacecraft followed a drag free trajectory. A free floating ball in a cavity in the center body measured the drag from the residual atmosphere and pulses from micro-thrusters corrected the trajectory of the satellite. The power was supplied by a radioisotope thermal electric generator.