MiTEx
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2009) |
The Micro-satellite Technology Experiment (MiTEx) is a
MiTEx consists of three spacecraft; two inspection satellites, designated
Development
MiTEx was developed with funding from the Microsatellite Demonstration Science and Technology Experiment Program (MiDSTEP). Funding for MiDSTEP (and thus MiTEx) is allocated to DARPA through the "Space Programs and Technology" element of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) "Advanced Technology Development" budget item. DoD budget documents from February 2008 show costs of MiDSTEP in 2007 of US$8 million, in 2008 of US$10 million, and in 2009 of US$8 million.[4] Owen C. Brown was the program manager for the design, integration, test, launch, and demonstration of MiTEx, while he was a program manager in the Tactical Technology Office (TTO) at DARPA.[5]
Launch
The satellites were launched from
Mission
Because of their small dimensions (with a mass of 225 kilograms (496 lb) each), the satellites are hard to detect in their geosynchronous orbit, and thus could approach and examine other satellites without being noticed. After completion of their primary mission, the satellites were parked on opposite sides of Earth. During the 2nd week of January 2009, the MiTEx satellites were commanded to approach DSP-23, which had failed two months earlier, and had started to drift by 1° East from its own parking position at 8.5° East. The MiTEx satellite parked over the mid-Atlantic rendezvoused with DSP-23 around 23 December 2008, followed by the 2nd MiTEx satellite one week later.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Cape launches Delta II, MiTEx satellite". USAF. 23 June 2006. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "SPACEWARN Bulletin No. 632". NASA GSFC. 1 July 2006. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c Covault, Craig (14 January 2009). "Secret inspection satellites boost space intelligence ops". Spaceflight Now.
- ^ "RDT&E BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION SHEET (R-2 Exhibit)" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. February 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2011. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Acquiring Space Systems in an Uncertain Future" (PDF). November 2009. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.