TacSat-1 |
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| Operator | NRL |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology demonstrator |
| Satellite of | Earth |
| Launch date | 2009 |
| Carrier rocket | Falcon 1 |
| Launch site | Omelek Island |
| Mass | 108 kg |
| Orbital elements | |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Inclination | 40° |
| Apoapsis | 410 km |
TacSat-1 is an experimental satellite built by the Naval Research Laboratory on behalf of the United 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 the SpaceX Falcon 1.[1]
TacSat-1 will carry a variety of experimental payloads.[2] 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.[3]
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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.[4]
TacSat-1 was initially planned for launch in January 2004, but delays in Falcon 1 becoming operational 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, with FalconSat-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. In August 2007, the Pentagon announced that the launch of TacSat-1 was canceled due to the completion of most of its mission requirements by AFRL's previously launched TacSat-2.[5] In September 2008, this decision was reversed, and it was reported that TacSat-1 would be launched by the sixth Falcon 1, in 2009.[1]
The TacSat series of satellites use commercial or available launchers, and largely off-the-shelf components, in order to reduce costs.
The TacSat-1 spacecraft is based on Orbital Sciences' MicroStar platform, also used for the Orbcomm communications constellation.
Apart from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), other organizations participating included:
| Previous Mission: None |
Tactical Satellite Program | Next Mission: TacSat-2 |
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