Losat-X [Ball]
Losat-X (Low Altitude Satellite Experiment), built for SDIO, was to gather multi-spectral data on ground-launched rocket plumes and the space environment. It also was used for development and testing of other technologies (wide field-of-view star camera).
Originally planned to be launched with LACE and RME, Losat-X was delayed and finally launched with GPS-2A 2. The spacecraft was sidemounted on the second stage of the Delta-7925 launch vehicle and was spring-ejected after the deployment of the third stage.
Planned for a three-month lifetime, the main objectives were accomplished during the first day in orbit, but Losat-X was lost due to a failure in the command receiver after nine days.
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | SDI Experiments |
Operator: | SDIO |
Contractors: | Ball Aerospace |
Equipment: | SDI multispectral-sensor payload; wide field-of-view star camera |
Configuration: | Quickstar Bus |
Propulsion: | ? |
Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
Lifetime: | 3 month planned, failed after nine days |
Mass: | 75 kg |
Orbit: | 405 km × 417 km; 40.0° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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Losat X | 1991-047B | 04.07.1991 | CC LC-17A | Delta-7925 | with GPS-2A 2 |