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ANNA 1A, 1B

ANNA 1B [NASA]

ANNA (Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force) was the first dedicated satellite for geodesy. It featured Xenon flashing lights and radio transponders (SECOR) for tracking the satellite.

The ANNA satellites weighed 160 kg, were 0.91 m in diameter and were powered by a band of solar cells around its equator.

By pinpointing the satellites position, precise geodetic calculations could be made. Later the SECOR transponders were flown on dedicated SECOR satellites.

Project ANNA was a truly cooperative effort involving the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and other civil agencies. Several observational systems were developed and improved during ANNA. These systems included geodetic cameras, electronic ranging and Doppler. Knowledge gained from Project ANNA was also useful in the development of Laser ranging systems.

Tho ANNA satellites were launched on Thor-DM21 Able-Star rockets in 1962, with only the last one reaching orbit.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Geodesy
Operator: US Air Force (USAF), US Navy, US Army, NASA
Contractors: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Equipment: Flashing lights, radio ranging and radio Doppler instrumentation, TR-27 SECOR transponder
Configuration:
Propulsion: None
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 161 kg
Orbit: 1075 km × 1181 km, 50.1°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ANNA 1A 1962-F04 10.05.1962 CC LC-17B F Thor-DM21 Able-Star
ANNA 1B 1962 βμ 1 31.10.1962 CC LC-17A Thor-DM21 Able-Star

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