NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

XSS-11

Launch Time
Mon Apr 11, 2005 13:35 UTC

Rocket

Minotaur I
Image Credit: Northrop Grumman
Northrop
Status: Active
Price: $40.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 935 kN
Payload to LEO: 580 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 19.21 m
Fairing Diameter: 1.27 m
Fairing Height: 3.79 m

Mission Details

XSS-11

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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 100.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

SLC-8, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

2005

11th orbital launch attempt

Minotaur I

3rd mission
1st mission of 2005
3rd successful mission