STPSat 6 [DoD]
STPSat 6 is a planned experimental spacecraft for the Department of Defense's Space Test Program (STP).
The satellite is based on Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems's (NGIS) (formerly Orbital ATK's) high-end modular A-500 bus, which another U.S. government agency bought for a different geosynchronous mission (DARPA's Phoenix program) but transferred to the Space Test Program after deciding it didn’t need it. The satellite will be directly inserted into an orbit slightly above the geostationary orbit.
STPSat-6 will carry nine experiments into a geosynchronous orbit:
Launch of the satellite is planned as the primary payload on the STP-3 launch in 2018, to be competively bid between an ULA Atlas-5 or a SpaceX Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) rocket. In June 2017, am Atlas-5(551)˛ was selected to launch the STP-3 mission, including an integrated propulsive EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (LDPE 1) holding up to six payloads, in 2019.
Nation: | USA |
---|---|
Type / Application: | Technology |
Operator: | US Air Force (USAF) STP (Space Test Program) |
Contractors: | Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (NGIS) (formerly Orbital ATK) |
Equipment: | SABRS-3, LCRD, CEASE, FalconSEED, RHEME, SENSER, SIRI, UVSC Pathfinder, ? |
Configuration: | A-500 bus |
Propulsion: | 12 × 22 N REAs |
Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
Lifetime: | 8-10 years |
Mass: | 2572 kg |
Orbit: | GEO |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STPSat 6 | 2021-118A | 07.12.2021 | CC SLC-41 | Atlas-5(551)˛ | with LDPE 1, Ascent |
Further STP missions:
|