Shepherd Demonstration is an experimental geostationary satellite built for the US Space Force to conduct technological experiments.
The Shepherd Demonstration satellite hosts payloads that mature technologies and accelerate risk reduction efforts to inform programs of record. No details are known. Reportedly the Shepherd Demonstration satellite carries multiple Space Force payloads, and is based on an ESPA ring, a circular structure with attachment ports for experiments and instruments.
It was launched on the USSF-44 (formerly AFSPC-44) mission on an Falcon-Heavy (Block 5)(px).
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | Propulsive ESPA |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Power: | Deployable solar array, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: | GEO |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Demonstration (USA 339, USSF 44 PL1, AFSPC 44 PL1) | 2022-144B | 01.11.2022 | CCK LC-39A | Falcon-Heavy (Block 5)(px) | with LDPE 2, Tetra 1, Alpine, LINUSS 1, 2, USA 344 |
