TACSAT-2: Pathfinder for a Close Space Support Asset

Abstract

With the launch of TacSat-2, the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) community had its first onorbit asset and opportunity to prove or disprove the premise that small, inexpensive, and quickly constructed spacecraft could perform useful operational missions when needed and for as long as needed. All of the components of the complex TacSat-2 system had to work together to answer the basic questions, "In a crisis, can a lab-developed spacecraft and ground architecture competently perform the mission of systems that cost twenty times the price and take four times as long to develop? Moreover, can this system actually improve on the responsiveness of National Systems to a certain set of underserved Operational customers?" When all was said and done, TacSat-2 was a spacecraft that had to: 1) Carry thirteen tactical and scientific payloads to orbit, many of which doubled as essential, non-redundant subsystems; 2) Launch from an unproven launch base on a last minute "replacement" launch vehicle; and 3) Fulfill about 140 on-orbit mission requirements. It had tactical sensors, two unproven communication links, numerous next-generation singlestring components (e.g., high-efficiency propulsion system, thin-film solar arrays, low-power versatile star camera), and autonomous software to make the system more friendly and familiar to Tactical, rather than Spacecraft Operators. However, the mission was as much about the implementation as it was about the components. TacSat-2 was designed for and employed with a different concept of operations (CONOPS) than traditional National Operational Assets. It was designed to be the first-ever Close Space Support platform and operated in a manner more analogous to Close Air Support aircraft than to traditional spacecraft. Therefore, the primary objective of the TacSat-2 mission was to use the TacSat-2 system to identify those parts of the spacecraft, ground system, and CONOPS.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA543008

Entities

People

  • Apoorva Bhopale
  • Charles Finley

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Attitude Control Systems
  • Close Support
  • Combat Operations
  • Control Systems
  • Earth Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Lessons Learned
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solar Panels
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Tactical Air Support
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites