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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 (SECOR) |
| 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 |
References:
- The Johns Hopkins University, Space Department: Artificial Earth Satellites Designed And Fabricated By The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
- NSSDC Master Catalog: ANNA 1A
- NSSDC Master Catalog: ANNA 1B
