Flashing Light Unit
Flashing Light Unit (center) with deployer [NASA]
This small subsatellite ejected from the Mercury MA-9 space craft is known mostly as Flashing Light Subsatellite or Flashing Light Unit. It weighted only 5 kg and contained batteries and two Xe-Flash lights. The purpose was to test the visual acquisition of other space vehicles by the astronaut.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Rendezvous Target |
| Operator: | NASA |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | 2 Xe-Flash lights, batteries |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | Batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 5 kg |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Light Unit | 15.05.1963 | CC LC-14 | Atlas-D Mercury | with Mercury MA9, Balloon Subsat 2 |
Further Mercury missions:
- Mercury MA / MR Capsule
- Mercury Boilerplate
- Mercury MS1
- Flashing Light Capsule
- Balloon-Subsat
References:
- NASA
