Micro satellite launches into space

Published Dec. 22, 2006
By Michael P. Kleiman
Space Vehicles Directorate Public Affairs

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. -- The TacSat-2 spacecraft has commenced operations on a planned six to 12-month experimental mission after a successful Dec. 16 launch onboard a Minotaur I rocket from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Wallops Island Flight Facility here.

The micro satellite, managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here, entered into a circular orbit at a 40 degree inclination approximately 255 miles above the Earth.

The tactical satellite, dubbed "TacSat-2," is considered to be another step toward developing low-cost, customized and rapidly deployable space capabilities for theater warfighters, who someday may place a number of these assets into orbit as they prepare for contingency operations.

According to Neal Peck, TacSat-2 program manager, all of the spacecraft's components are functioning properly, and the system is performing like clockwork.

"The project team is excited about the positive start to a milestone mission for the future of rapid, responsive space operations," said Mr. Peck.

Featuring 11 instrument packages, the TacSat-2 mission will include experiments directly supporting the warfighter on the ground. Two trials -- the 20-inch telescope constructed by the Space Vehicles Directorate, and the Common Data Link tactical radio -- will impact on deployed forces.

The 20-inch telescope will demonstrate low-cost, high-quality photography. The Common Data Link tactical radio will provide communication and image transmissions to a U.S. Navy facility at China Lake, Calif. Additional planned trials involve the integrated global positioning system occultation receiver, which will compute high-precision location information for the spacecraft, recycled solar array panels producing 500 watts of power, and autonomous operations.

TacSat-2 represents a partnership between AFRL, NASA, the Department of Defense's Space Test Program (Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Development and Test Wing), the Naval Research Laboratory, the Army Space Program Office, Air Force Space Command and the Space Warfare Center. In addition, the micro satellite was built by MicroSat Systems, Inc., with the command and data handling system, electrical power system, as well as the flight software supplied by Broad Reach Engineering. Jackson and Tull provided the innovative integration and testing of TacSat-2.