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TacSat-2 Satellite Successfully Launched into Space
Date: 12/16/2006Description:
At 7 a.m. this morning, the TacSat-2 micro satellite launched from NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va., onboard a Minotaur I rocket, and this event marked a significant milestone for Colorado-based MicroSat Systems, Inc. (MSI).
With its successful lift off, TacSat-2 became the inaugural MSI spacecraft bus to be launched, the first responsive space demonstrator operated by the U.S. military, and the initial demonstration of a deployable thin-film solar array in space.
In addition, the spacecraft took 24 months to achieve flight-ready status, as opposed to the more common practice of up to 10 years. It has also been completed at a reduced cost, estimated at 90 percent less than most defense-related space systems, by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force base, N.M., the federal government partner on the project.
“I am excited because TacSat-2 is another demonstration of a new way of doing business,” said Neil Peck, AFRL’s TacSat-2 program manager. “The push that we are getting from high levels will cause real change in how we procure space systems. TacSat-2 is step one in that process.”
“The launch of TacSat-2 demonstrates MSI’s ability to provide a high performance small satellite for a very competitive price on a major responsive space program,” said MSI President John Roth. MSI has served as a strong supporter of the Dept. of Defense’s responsive space efforts since its inception in April 2001. MSI designed, built, and environmentally qualified the satellite bus, as well as was responsible for both the primary Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar arrays and the experimental thin-film solar arrays.
TacSat-2 features 11 onboard experiments, which will be conducted during the spacecraft’s planned six to 12-month mission. These include high resolution visible imagery, direct theater payload tasking and high speed data downlink, autonomous on-orbit checkout and operations, as well as dynamic re-tasking based on internal/external cueing. MSI will support the initial spacecraft checkout before operations are completely turned over to AFRL.
In addition to developing the satellite bus, MSI is providing an experimental thin-film solar array that will augment the power from the traditional GaAs array.
"This TacSat-2 mission will provide the validation and flight heritage for our thin-film solar array product which is a low mass, low stowage volume solution for small satellite missions. This should accelerate its acceptance by the space industry for other military and commercial missions," said Mr. Roth.
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