TacSat-1

TacSat-1

TacSat-1
Mission type	Technology
Operator	NRL
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass	108 kilograms (238 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	Never launched
Rocket	Falcon 1
Launch site	Omelek Island
Contractor	SpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Apogee	410 kilometers (250 mi)
Inclination	40& degrees
Epoch	Planned

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]

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.^[4]

Launch

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]

Systems

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.

Developers

Apart from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), other organizations participating included:

• DOD Space Test Program (Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Development and Test Wing)
• DOD Operationally Responsive Space Office
• Army Space Program Office
• Air Force Space Command
• Space Warfare Center
• NASA
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

References