NEXTSat
Template:Short description Template:Infobox spaceflight NEXTSat, or Next Generation Satellite and Commodities Spacecraft (NEXTSat/CSC) was an American technology demonstration satellite which was operated as part of the Orbital Express programme. It was used as a target spacecraft for a demonstration of autonomous servicing and refueling operations performed by the ASTRO satellite.[1] Launched in March 2007, it was operated for four months, and then deactivated in orbit.
NEXTSat was launched by United Launch Alliance on an Atlas V 401 rocket; serial number AV-013. The launch occurred at 03:10 UTC on 9 March 2007, from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[2] The launch was contracted by the Space Test Program to launch the STPSat-1 spacecraft, and was named STP-1. It also deployed ASTRO; as well as FalconSAT-3, CFESat and MidSTAR-1.[1] The launch marked the first time United Launch Alliance had launched an Atlas V, the type having previously been operated by International Launch Services.
NEXTSat was a Script error: No such module "convert". spacecraft,[1] which was built by Ball Aerospace around the RS-300 satellite bus.[3] It was operated in low Earth orbit; on 9 March 2007, it had a perigee of Script error: No such module "convert"., an apogee of Script error: No such module "convert"., 46.0 degrees of inclination, and an orbital period of 94.49 minutes.[4] After completing operations, the ASTRO and NEXTSat spacecraft were separated, and ASTRO performed a separation burn. On 21 July 2007, NEXTSat was deactivated. Template:Asof, it was expected to remain in orbit until around 2012.[5] The satellite decayed from orbit on 21 April 2023.[6]
References
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