Microsat to Support Department Of Defense Experiments

Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) new satellite, Space Test Program Satellite #5 (STPSat-5), was scheduled to launch on Spaceflight’s SSO-A SmallSat Express mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on Monday, creating a new opportunity for scientific research and development for the Department of Defense (DoD).

“SNC is pleased to be able to provide an agile, versatile platform in the SN-50 bus class that gives the DoD a cost-effective, high-performance solution,” said Fatih Ozmen, CEO and co-owner of SNC.  “We are always excited to be part of missions that have a focus on gathering new critical science and data.”

The satellite was built by SNC for the United States Air Force (USAF) Space Test Program, and contains five science and technology payloads from four government agencies. The five payloads supporting the DoD’s science and technology mission are:

• Strontium Iodide Radiation Instrumentation (SIRI), Naval Research Lab
• RAM Angle and Magnetic field Sensor (RAMS), Naval Research Lab
• Integrated Miniaturized Electro Static Analyzer (iMESA), US Air Force Academy
• Rad Hard Electronic Memory Experiment (RHEME), Air Force Research Lab
• High Bandwidth Anti-Jam LPI/LPD Optical Network (HALO-Net), Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command

“Our SN-50 satellite bus platform is a low-cost, capable solution for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) class market. It advances SNC’s ability to offer mission-capable, ESPA-class platforms for low-Earth and geosynchronous orbits,” said Joel Nelson, senior director of programs in spacecraft systems, within SNC’s Space Systems business area.  “The vehicle is fully compatible with the standard ESPA and is an ideal choice for a variety of operational, technology demonstration and science missions."

(Image provided with Sierra Nevada Corp news release)

FMI: www.sncorp.com