Andrew Yee
October 31st 05, 07:36 PM
Public Affairs
Air Force Research Laboratory
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
Contact: Michael P. Kleiman
Phone: 505-846-4704
October 24, 2005
VS Release No. 05-22
Cutting edge microsatellite achieves milestones
Space Vehicles Directorate's Experimental Satellite System-11 performs
several rendezvous and proximity operations with launch vehicle upper
stage
A 220-pound microsatellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory,
Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., recently
accomplished significant mission milestones by rendezvousing three to
fours times with the upper stage of the Minotaur I launch vehicle at
distances between 1.5 kilometers and 500 meters.
The Air Force has employed the Experimental Satellite System-11, commonly
referred to as XSS-11, to investigate a variety of prospective space
applications including servicing, repair, and resupply.
"XSS-11 is demonstration in space rendezvous and proximity operations,"
said Harold "Vernon" Baker, XSS-11 program manager. "The spacecraft also
has an onboard rendezvous and proximity operations planner in the avionics
to aid in developing autonomous operations for future concepts and
missions."
Launched in April 2005 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., XSS-11 has
also completed more than 75 natural motion circumnavigations of the
expended rocket body. During its projected 12 to 18month flight, the
spacecraft will conduct rendezvous and proximity maneuvers with several
U.S.-owned dead or inactive resident space objects near its orbit, as well
as will demonstrate more autonomy as the project continues.
"The microsatellite is performing better than expected," Baker said. "Fuel
consumption and efficiency is good, and we expect to be operational for
another year. In addition, we have had no significant technical glitches
and no major anomalies."
Managing and monitoring the microsatellite's progress has been the focus
of the flight control team comprised of personnel from both the Space
Vehicles Directorate, as well as the Space and Missile Systems Center's
Detachment 12, also located at Kirtland AFB. Staffing, however, has been
reduced from 30 to 15 due to the spacecraft's flawless performance, and
another decrease is expected in the future as the micro satellite's
demonstration in autonomy advances.
With a projected cost of $82 million, the XSS-11 program has planned an
aggressive, event driven flight, which could ultimately enhance the Air
Force Space Command's possible prospective mission of space servicing and
maintenance, as well as space support and efficient operations. In
addition, due to its innovative autonomous flight, the XSS-11 mission may
reduce the number of personnel and the amount of equipment needed to
operate future space missions.
"The microsatellite will remain in a systems functional test for the next
month or two, as we are still checking out the spacecraft's various
components," the XSS-11 program manager said. "The whole part of this
mission is to be safe. If we hit the resident space object, we fail."
Because of the XSS-11's groundbreaking flight, several national media
organizations, including Popular Mechanics, MSNBC.com, and Space.com have
published articles about the microsatellite. Likewise, the December 2005
issue of Popular Science will also feature a story on the spacecraft's
unique mission.
"To date, most other rendezvous experiments have been designed primarily
for the purpose of docking and repair missions. They relied heavily on the
other object having guidance and navigation aids, as well as docking
mechanisms," Baker said. "XSS-11 does not rely on navigation aids from the
other resident space objects or docking mechanisms."
The XSS-11 project represents a partnership between DOD and industry. For
example, Jackson and Tull, Albuquerque, NM, provided technical support to
the program office in design, build, integration, test, and launch
activities as well as continued support for ongoing mission operations.
Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Waterton, Colo., served as the spacecraft's
contractor for structure, propulsion, and system support. In addition,
other private sector companies participating in the program included Broad
Reach Engineering, Tempe, Ariz._ Octant Technologies, San Jose, Calif._
Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Mass._ and SAIC, San Diego, Calif. Another
key XSS-11 player has been the Air Force's Space Test Program administered
by SMC, Det. 12, which has provided launch, as well as on-orbit command
and control oversight.
In the coming weeks and months, the microsatellite will continue its
rendezvous and proximity mission, but the next event date and
participating resident space object will determined at a later date based
on schedule and which U.S.-owned dead or inactive object best meets the
mission requirements. Nevertheless, the XSS-11's accomplishments in its
initial months of flight have laid the groundwork for future success.
IMAGE CAPTIONS:
[Image 1:
http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/News/Images/05-22a.jpg (217KB)]
Artist Rendition of XSS-11 imaging expended upper stage of launch vehicle
[Image 2:
http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/News/Images/05-22b.jpg (149KB)]
Photograph of the southern California coastline taken by the XSS-11's
witness camera. Vandenberg Air Force Base, site of the microsatellite's
launch on April 11, 2005, is a white speck photographed on the hump in the
middle of the Picture. (Photo courtesy of Harold "Vernon" Baker)
[Image 3:
http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/News/Images/05-22c.jpg (150KB)]
Photograph of the upper stage of the Minotaur I launch vehicle taken from
the XSS-11 spacecraft at a distance of 0.5 kilometers. (Photo courtesy of
Harold "Vernon" Baker)
Air Force Research Laboratory
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
Contact: Michael P. Kleiman
Phone: 505-846-4704
October 24, 2005
VS Release No. 05-22
Cutting edge microsatellite achieves milestones
Space Vehicles Directorate's Experimental Satellite System-11 performs
several rendezvous and proximity operations with launch vehicle upper
stage
A 220-pound microsatellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory,
Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., recently
accomplished significant mission milestones by rendezvousing three to
fours times with the upper stage of the Minotaur I launch vehicle at
distances between 1.5 kilometers and 500 meters.
The Air Force has employed the Experimental Satellite System-11, commonly
referred to as XSS-11, to investigate a variety of prospective space
applications including servicing, repair, and resupply.
"XSS-11 is demonstration in space rendezvous and proximity operations,"
said Harold "Vernon" Baker, XSS-11 program manager. "The spacecraft also
has an onboard rendezvous and proximity operations planner in the avionics
to aid in developing autonomous operations for future concepts and
missions."
Launched in April 2005 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., XSS-11 has
also completed more than 75 natural motion circumnavigations of the
expended rocket body. During its projected 12 to 18month flight, the
spacecraft will conduct rendezvous and proximity maneuvers with several
U.S.-owned dead or inactive resident space objects near its orbit, as well
as will demonstrate more autonomy as the project continues.
"The microsatellite is performing better than expected," Baker said. "Fuel
consumption and efficiency is good, and we expect to be operational for
another year. In addition, we have had no significant technical glitches
and no major anomalies."
Managing and monitoring the microsatellite's progress has been the focus
of the flight control team comprised of personnel from both the Space
Vehicles Directorate, as well as the Space and Missile Systems Center's
Detachment 12, also located at Kirtland AFB. Staffing, however, has been
reduced from 30 to 15 due to the spacecraft's flawless performance, and
another decrease is expected in the future as the micro satellite's
demonstration in autonomy advances.
With a projected cost of $82 million, the XSS-11 program has planned an
aggressive, event driven flight, which could ultimately enhance the Air
Force Space Command's possible prospective mission of space servicing and
maintenance, as well as space support and efficient operations. In
addition, due to its innovative autonomous flight, the XSS-11 mission may
reduce the number of personnel and the amount of equipment needed to
operate future space missions.
"The microsatellite will remain in a systems functional test for the next
month or two, as we are still checking out the spacecraft's various
components," the XSS-11 program manager said. "The whole part of this
mission is to be safe. If we hit the resident space object, we fail."
Because of the XSS-11's groundbreaking flight, several national media
organizations, including Popular Mechanics, MSNBC.com, and Space.com have
published articles about the microsatellite. Likewise, the December 2005
issue of Popular Science will also feature a story on the spacecraft's
unique mission.
"To date, most other rendezvous experiments have been designed primarily
for the purpose of docking and repair missions. They relied heavily on the
other object having guidance and navigation aids, as well as docking
mechanisms," Baker said. "XSS-11 does not rely on navigation aids from the
other resident space objects or docking mechanisms."
The XSS-11 project represents a partnership between DOD and industry. For
example, Jackson and Tull, Albuquerque, NM, provided technical support to
the program office in design, build, integration, test, and launch
activities as well as continued support for ongoing mission operations.
Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Waterton, Colo., served as the spacecraft's
contractor for structure, propulsion, and system support. In addition,
other private sector companies participating in the program included Broad
Reach Engineering, Tempe, Ariz._ Octant Technologies, San Jose, Calif._
Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Mass._ and SAIC, San Diego, Calif. Another
key XSS-11 player has been the Air Force's Space Test Program administered
by SMC, Det. 12, which has provided launch, as well as on-orbit command
and control oversight.
In the coming weeks and months, the microsatellite will continue its
rendezvous and proximity mission, but the next event date and
participating resident space object will determined at a later date based
on schedule and which U.S.-owned dead or inactive object best meets the
mission requirements. Nevertheless, the XSS-11's accomplishments in its
initial months of flight have laid the groundwork for future success.
IMAGE CAPTIONS:
[Image 1:
http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/News/Images/05-22a.jpg (217KB)]
Artist Rendition of XSS-11 imaging expended upper stage of launch vehicle
[Image 2:
http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/News/Images/05-22b.jpg (149KB)]
Photograph of the southern California coastline taken by the XSS-11's
witness camera. Vandenberg Air Force Base, site of the microsatellite's
launch on April 11, 2005, is a white speck photographed on the hump in the
middle of the Picture. (Photo courtesy of Harold "Vernon" Baker)
[Image 3:
http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/News/Images/05-22c.jpg (150KB)]
Photograph of the upper stage of the Minotaur I launch vehicle taken from
the XSS-11 spacecraft at a distance of 0.5 kilometers. (Photo courtesy of
Harold "Vernon" Baker)