The Surveillance Calibration (or SURCAL) satellites were a series of radar calibration satellites for the Naval Space Surveillance radar system. They were launched in the 1960s.
Background
The SURCAL series of satellites were produced by the Naval Research Laboratory to act as test and calibration targets for the Naval Space Surveillance radar. The first SURCAL satellite was intended to remain attached to the launch vehicle and was a 5.5 inch long, 5.5 inch diameter cylinder. The other four SURCAL satellites were box-shaped with solar panels, a transponder, and antennas. They transmitted a 216 MHz signal on command.
Launches
+ SURCAL Satellites Name COSPAR Launch date Rocket Mass (kg) Re-entry SURCAL 1 N/A 24 January 1962 Thor-Able-Star 98.5 kg Launch failure SURCAL 2 1962 B Tau 4 13 December 1962 Thor-Agena-D 37 kg 18 Jan 1966 SURCAL 3 1962-021F 15 June 1963 Thor-Agena-D 3 kg 5 Jul 1963 SURCAL 4 1965-016G 9 March 1965 Thor-Agena-D 5 kg 27 March 1981 SURCAL 5 1965-065K 9 March 1965 Thor-Able-Star In orbit
Other vehicles Astronautix includes passive satellites such as the SURCAL 150B and SURCAL 160 target objects as part of the SURCAL program.
References