Transit 1-B represented a pioneering step in satellite navigation technology, being the first of its kind to provide accurate positional data for maritime purposes. Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, it was designed to work with the U.S. Navy's Transit system, which required multiple satellites to provide continuous navigation coverage. Before Transit 1-B, determining precise positions at sea relied heavily on celestial navigation, which was complicated and often inaccurate. The satellite incorporated sophisticated automatic tracking technology that allowed naval vessels to calculate their location based on signals it transmitted. This capability reduced the dependence on human navigators and increased operational efficiency for naval operations.

The satellite entered a polar orbit, allowing it to provide global coverage as the Earth rotated beneath it. This innovative design effectively solved many of the limitations faced by earlier navigational methods. The data received by vessels allowed them to pinpoint their locations within meters rather than miles, revolutionizing marine navigation. Transit 1-B operated for several years, undergoing various technical upgrades to improve its service. The successful launch demonstrated not only the United States' growing focus on space technology but also its commitment to enhancing naval superiority during a period of heightened Cold War tensions.