- TacSat-1
Infobox_Spacecraft
Name = TacSat-1
Caption = TacSat-1
Organization =NRL
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Mission_Type = Technology demonstrator
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Satellite_Of =Earth
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Launch = 2009
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Carrier_Rocket =Falcon 1
Launch_Site =Omelek Island
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Mass = 108 kg
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Orbit_regime =Low Earth orbit
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Inclination = 40°
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Apoapsis = 410 km
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IMG_Resolution =TacSat-1 is an experimental
satellite built by theNaval Research Laboratory on behalf of theUnited States Department of Defense (DOD)Office of Force Transformation (OFT). The second satellite in the series,TacSat-2 , has already been launched. It is the planned payload of the sixth launch of theSpaceX Falcon 1 .cite web|url=http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=8333|title=Next Falcon I launch planned within 2 weeks|first=Clark S.|last=Lindsey|publisher=HobbySpace|work=RLV and Space Transport News|date=2008-09-11|accessdate=2008-09-13|language=English]TacSat-1 will carry a variety of experimental payloads. [cite web | url=http://www.nrl.navy.mil/content.php?P=04REVIEW207 | title=Tactical Microsatellite Experiment (TacSat-1) |publisher=NRL] Much of the payload software is implemented through the use of bash scripts operating on the "Copperfield-2" general-purpose computer system aboard the spacecraft. [cite web | url=http://www.nrl.navy.mil/content.php?P=04REVIEW212 | title=Rapid Satellite Payload Development for TacSat-1 |publisher=NRL]
Purpose
The TacSat series of experimental spacecraft are designed to allow military commanders on a battlefield to request and obtain imagery and other data from a satellite as it passes overhead. Collected data will be delivered to field commanders in minutes rather than hours or days. The sensor on TacSat-1 can collect color images sharp enough to distinguish ground objects as small as 1 meter in diameter. [cite news | last=Singer | first=Jeremy | url = http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2395306&C=airwar | title=USAF To Experiment With Satellite To Improve Ground Communications | publisher=Defense News | date=2006-12-04]
Launch
TacSat-1 is scheduled for launch in 2009 using a
SpaceX Falcon 1 launcher. TacSat-1 was initially planned for launch inJanuary 2004 but funding shortfalls and development delays precluded this date. It was initially scheduled to fly on the maiden flight of the Falcon 1, but technical problems led to another Falcon 1, withFalconSat-2 , launching first. Following the failure of this launch, it was moved to the third flight, to allow a demonstration launch to precede it. The failure of the demonstration flight led to further delays. InAugust 2007 , the Pentagon announced that the launch of TacSat-1 was canceled due to the completion of most of it's mission requirements by AFRL's previously launched TacSat-2. [cite web | url=http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive07/tacsat_0827.html | title=Pentagon Cancels TacSat-1 Mission | last=Berger | first=Brian | date=2007-09-06 | publisher=Space.com | accessdate=2008-08-09] InSeptember 2008 , this decision was reversed, and it was reported that TacSat-1 would be launched by the sixth Falcon 1, in 2009.ystems
The TacSat series of satellites use commercial or available launchers, and largely off-the-shelf components, in order to reduce costs.
Platform
The TacSat-1 spacecraft is based on Orbital Sciences' MicroStar platform, also used for the
Orbcomm communications constellation.Camera
Developers
Apart from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), other organizations participating included:
* DODSpace Test Program (Space and Missile Systems Center ’sSpace Development and Test Wing )
* DODOperationally Responsive Space Office
*Army Space Program Office
*Air Force Space Command
*Space Warfare Center
*NASA
*Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)References
Previous Mission:
NoneTactical Satellite Program Next Mission: TacSat-2
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