TacSat 2 [MicroSat Systems]
The TacSat-2 is a small technology mission of the Air Force Research Laboratory. It built upon the experience gained with TacSat 1. TacSat 2 has now been renamed JWS D 1 (Joint Warfighting Space Demonstrator).
The spacecraft#s Roadrunner bus is being developed by MSI (MicroSat System's Inc.) of Littleton, CO, using the spare bus and parts of the TechSat-21 program (which was cancelled in early 2003) with minor modifications, as well as parts of the cancelled MSTI 4 satellite. The bus structure consists of composite facesheets over an aluminum honeycomb core, comprising only 13% of the spacecraft mass. The basic structure is an irregular octagon with a "payload" and a "separation" deck. The platform is 3-axis stabilized capable of providing a pointing accuracy of < 0.15º. The ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem) employs 3 reaction wheels (Dynacon MW-1000) and 3 torque rods as actuators. A star camera provides high-precision attitude measurements. An IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), analog sun sensors, and a magnetometer complete the ADCS sensor suite. Electric power of up to 550 W is provided by the solar array. The Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 30 Ah. The bus power system is based on a direct energy transfer topology (tied directly to the battery via a set of FETs) delivering unregulated 28 V switched power to the loads. The C&DH (Command and Data Handling) subsystem employs a Power PC. Bus communication is provided by a Mini-SGLS (Miniature Space-to-Ground Link Subsystem), using 2 pairs of patch antennas for full spherical coverage and an encryption device. The spacecraft has a mass of 415 kg.
Following experiments are on board:
The coordinated ADS package measurements permit a better understanding of the dynamic processes that affect the variability of the upper atmosphere.
The ACME payload has been removed from the spacecraft to save weight.
Additionally a NASA New Millennium Payload has been added: The Inertial Stellar Compass (ISC) enables a spacecraft to continuously determine its attitude or the direction in which it is pointing. It also enables a spacecraft to recover its orientation (direction and pointing) after a temporary malfunction or power loss. This is done by the "marriage" of a miniaturized star camera and gyro system. Although this is not a new concept, the small size and low power consumption are revolutionary and an important feature for the new, smaller spacecraft and satellites of the future. ISC technology uses an active pixel sensor in a star-tracking camera and a three-axis system of microelectromechanical gyros. Draper Laboratory is the technology provider.
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | Technology, imaging |
Operator: | Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) |
Contractors: | Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL); MicroSat Systems (bus) |
Equipment: | see above |
Configuration: | Roadrunner Bus (NGMB, Next Generation Multifunctional Bus) |
Propulsion: | BHT-200 Hall Effect Thruster |
Power: | 2 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | 370 kg |
Orbit: | 413 km × 424 km, 40° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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TacSat 2 (JWS D1, ST 6ISC) | 2006-058A | 16.12.2006 | WI LA-0B | Minotaur-1 | with GeneSat 1 |
Further TacSat missions:
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Further New Millennium Missions:
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