XSS-11

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

13:35:00

Monday April 11, 2005

Mission Details

XSS-11

Wiki

USA-165 or XSS-11[1] (Experimental Satellite System-11) is a small, washing-machine-sized, low-cost spacecraft developed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate to test technology for proximity operations. In particular, the satellite was designed to demonstrate "autonomous rendezvous and proximity maneuvers." In other words, it would approach, investigate, and photograph other spacecraft in Earth orbit. It would help test the feasibility of in-space inspection and repair. The spacecraft was also designed to test systems that would allow the spacecraft to maneuver autonomously.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

100 kilograms

Rocket

Active
Minotaur I

Active Since 2000

Northrop Grumman logo

Agency

Northrop

Price

$40.00 million

Rocket

Height: 19.21m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 580 kg

Liftoff Thrust

935 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 1.27m

Height: 3.79m

Stages

4

Launch Site

SLC-8

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

133 days 7 hours

Stats

Minotaur I


3rd

Mission

1st

Mission of 2005

2005


11th

Orbital launch attempt