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560101-N-N0204-001.JPG Photo By: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

WELCOME, Maryland - ‘Minitrack’ at Blossom Point — Developed by NRL to track the Vanguard satellite, Minitrack (Minimum Trackable Satellite) incorporated NRL's phase-comparison and angle-tracking techniques and utilized a series of fan-shaped vertical antenna beams forming a "fence." The antennas are seen as rectangular-shaped objects on the field. The system comprised a chain of stations extending from Blossom Point, Maryland, to Santiago, Chile, with additional stations at San Diego, California, Australia and South Africa. The data collected by these stations, telemetered from the Vanguard satellite, were transmitted to NRL's Control Center in Washington, D.C. The Blossom Point station was also used in NRL's demonstration to prove the feasibility of tracking non-radiating satellites, which led to NRL's development of the U.S. Naval Space Surveillance System (NAVSPASUR). Photo courtesy U.S. Naval Research Laboratory RELEASED


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This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit.



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