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 |
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Type / Application: | Rendezvous Target |
Operator: | NASA |
Contractors: | |
Equipment: | 2 Xe-Flash lights, batteries |
Configuration: | |
Propulsion: | None |
Power: | Batteries |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | 5 kg |
Orbit: |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flashing Light Unit | 1963-015# | 15.05.1963 | CC LC-14 | Atlas-D Mercury | with Mercury MA9, Balloon Subsat 2 |