MightySat-1

MightySat-1 was a small spacecraft developed by the U.S. Air Force's Phillips Laboratory (now part of the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate) to test technology for small satellites, including advanced dual-junction solar cells, a composite structure, a micrometeorite and debris detector, low-power electronics and a low-shock release device.[2] The 140-pound satellite was launched from the Space Shuttle Endeavour in December 1998, during the 12th day of the STS-88 mission[2] and performed robustly in orbit, with no spacecraft anomalies during its mission. Lt. Barbara Braun of the AFRL was the program manager for the satellite.[2]

MightySat-1
MightySat-1 photograph
Mission typeTechnology
OperatorAFRL
COSPAR ID1998-069C
SATCAT no.25551[1]
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerSpectrum Astro
Launch mass320 kilograms (710 lb)[2]
Dry mass63.5 kilograms (140 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateDecember 4, 1998 (1998-12-04)
RocketSpace Shuttle Endeavour (STS-88)
Launch siteKennedy LC-39A
End of mission
Decay dateNovember 21, 1999, 17:11 (1999-11-21UTC17:12Z) UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Eccentricity0.00095976377
Perigee altitude388.0 kilometers (241.1 mi)
Apogee altitude401.0 kilometers (249.2 mi)
Inclination51.6& degrees
Period92.4 minutes
EpochJanuary 4, 1999[1]
 

MightySat-1's mission ended when it re-entered the atmosphere at 17:11 UTC on November 21, 1999.[3]

References

  1. McDowell, Jonathan. "Master Satellite List". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  2. "MightySat 1". Astronautix. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  3. "MightySat-1". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2008-07-29.


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