NEXTSat
| Mission type | Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | DARPA |
| COSPAR ID | 2007-006C |
| SATCATno. | 30774 |
| Mission duration | 4 months |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | RS-300 |
| Manufacturer | Ball Aerospace |
| Launch mass | 224 kilograms (494 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 9 March 2007, 03:10UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V401 AV-013 |
| Launch site | Cape CanaveralSLC-41 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Decommissioned |
| Deactivated | 21 July 2007 |
| Decay date | 21 April 2023 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.00058 |
| Perigee altitude | 490 kilometers (300 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 498 kilometers (309 mi) |
| Inclination | 46.0 degrees |
| Period | 94.5 minutes |
| Epoch | 8 May 2007, 22:10:00 UTC[1] |
NEXTSat,orNext Generation Satellite and Commodities Spacecraft(NEXTSat/CSC) was an American technology demonstrationsatellitewhich was operated as part of theOrbital Expressprogramme. It was used as a target spacecraft for a demonstration of autonomous servicing and refueling operations performed by theASTROsatellite.[2]Launched in March 2007, it was operated for four months, and then deactivated in orbit.
NEXTSat was launched byUnited Launch Allianceon anAtlas V401 rocket; serial number AV-013. The launch occurred at 03:10 UTC on 9 March 2007, fromSpace Launch Complex 41at theCape Canaveral Air Force Station.[3]The launch was contracted by theSpace Test Programto launch theSTPSat-1spacecraft, and was named STP-1. It also deployed ASTRO; as well asFalconSAT-3,CFESatandMidSTAR-1.[2]The launch marked the first time United Launch Alliance had launched an Atlas V, the type having previously been operated byInternational Launch Services.
NEXTSat was a 224-kilogram (494 lb) spacecraft,[2]which was built byBall Aerospacearound theRS-300satellite bus.[4]It was operated inlow Earth orbit;on 9 March 2007, it had aperigeeof 490 kilometres (300 mi), anapogeeof 498 kilometres (309 mi), 46.0 degrees ofinclination,and anorbital periodof 94.49 minutes.[5]After completing operations, the ASTRO and NEXTSat spacecraft were separated, and ASTRO performed a separation burn. On 21 July 2007, NEXTSat was deactivated. As of 2007[update],it was expected to remain in orbit until around 2012.[6]The satellite decayed from orbit on 21 April 2023.[7]
References[edit]
- ^"NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Trajectory Details".nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov.Retrieved2018-05-02.
- ^abcKrebs, Gunter."NEXTSAT/CSC".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved21 March2011.
- ^McDowell, Jonathan."Launch Log".Jonathan's Space Page.Retrieved21 March2011.
- ^Krebs, Gunter."Ball: RS-300".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved21 March2011.
- ^McDowell, Jonathan."Satellite Catalog".Jonathan's Space Page.Retrieved21 March2011.
- ^Clark, Stephen (23 July 2007)."Satellite in-space servicing demo mission a success".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved21 March2011.
- ^"OE (NEXTSAT)".N2YO.21 April 2023.Retrieved2 December2023.
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