NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

TacSat-3, Pharmasat and Others

Launch Time
Tue May 19, 2009 23:55 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

TacSat-3

TacSat-3 is a follow-up US minisatellite technology demonstration mission within the ORS (Operational Responsive Space) program of DoD, representing a partnership between three military service branches. The partners include NRL (Naval Research Laboratory), AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory), DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), the Army Space and Missile Defense Center, and the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center. AFRL is leading the TacSat-3 team- serving as the project integrator. The TacSat-3 mission was selected for specific capabilities to meet user needs, and to demonstrate those capabilities within cost and schedule constraints.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 400.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Pharmasat

Pharmasat is designed to measure the influence of microgravity upon yeast resistance to an antifungal agent. The yeast cells will be cultivated in 48 independent microwells. Since previous observations indicate that certain microorganisms may become more virulent in space, an antibiotic will be applied at different dosage levels to each microwell to investigate its effectiveness. The results of this work are expected to lead to effective countermeasure development for long-term space travel and habitation.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 5.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

AeroCube-3

This miniature satellite will perform experiments and test various technologies in space including a two-axis Sun sensor and an Earth sensor. During a portion of the mission the satellite will remain tethered to the upper stage of the rocket to study the dynamics of the system under different tether lengths. The second phase of the mission will allow Aerocube 3 to fly untethered and make several Earth observations. The satellite also includes a balloon which will inflate at the end of the mission and reduce the orbital lifetime.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 1.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

HawkSat 1

This is a technology demonstration mission that will test the hardiness of materials to the space environment.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 1.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

CP6

This is a technology demonstration mission consisting of two parts. The first part of the mission will use sensors to determine attitude and use Earth imaging for verification. The second part of the mission will study the effectiveness of a device for collecting electrons from the ambient plasma environment. This technology will have potential application in electrodynamic propulsion systems.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 1.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

LP-0B, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

Stats

2009

30th orbital launch attempt

Minotaur I

8th mission
1st mission of 2009
8th successful mission