TACSAT-4 Early Flight Operations Including Lessons From Integration, Test, and Launch Processing

Abstract

TacSat-4 is an experimental Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications satellite that launched on a Minotaur IV+ from Kodiak, Alaska on September 27, 2011. The spacecraft and ground capabilities are briefly described for context. The integration, testing, launch processing, early flight operations, and initial end user results are then discussed. Unique approaches and lessons learned are highlighted. For example, the "launch powered off" approach used to test new Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) bus standards worked particularly well, and had several benefits during launch processing. The ORS Office is leading the Joint Military Utility Assessment of the TacSat-4 mission.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA569654

Entities

People

  • Bill Raynor
  • Chris Amend
  • Eric Bradley
  • Eric Rossland
  • Jim Barnds
  • Keith Akins
  • Ken Weldy
  • Mike Hurley
  • Tim Duffey
  • Trevor Specht

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Command And Control
  • Control Systems
  • Frequency
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Research
  • Payload
  • Satellite Buses
  • Small Satellites
  • Space Objects
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Standards
  • Systems Engineering
  • Urban Areas

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites