🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Transit VBN-1
Retired 1963Transit VBN-1 (NORAD 670, COSPAR 1963-038B) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 22 Dec 1963, launched on 28 Sep 1963 on the Transit VBN-1 mission. It was operated by BUWEPS as part of the Transit 5 programme. The spacecraft was built by APL on the Transit 5 bus, with a mass of 69 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1963
launched
1963
retired
63
years on orbit
69
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched28 Sep 1963 · on the Transit VBN-1 mission
Operational22 Dec 1963 · entered service
Retired22 Dec 1963 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID670
COSPAR1963-038B
TypeSatellite
OperatorBUWEPS
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerAPL
BusTransit 5
Mass69 kg
ProgrammeTransit 5
CategoryNAV
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude1,071 × 1,131 km
Inclination89.9°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Transit VBN-1?
Transit VBN-1 was retired from service around 22 Dec 1963 after launching in 1963. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Transit VBN-1?
Transit VBN-1 was operated by BUWEPS and built by APL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.