ASTRO (satellite)

For other uses, see Astro (disambiguation).
ASTRO
Mission typeTechnology
OperatorDARPA
COSPAR ID2007-006A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.30772
Mission duration4 months
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass2,400 pounds (1,100 kg)
Start of mission
Launch date9 March 2007, 03:10:00 (2007-03-09UTC03:10Z) UTC
RocketAtlas V 401 AV-013
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-41
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
End of mission
DisposalDecommissioned
Deactivated21 July 2007 (2007-07-22)
Decay date25 October 2013
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude490 kilometers (300 mi)
Apogee altitude498 kilometers (309 mi)
Inclination46.0 degrees
Period94.49 minutes
Epoch9 March 2007[1]

Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations (ASTRO), was an American technology demonstration satellite which was operated as part of the Orbital Express program. It was used to demonstrate autonomous servicing and refuelling operations in orbit, performing tests on the NEXTSat satellite which was launched with ASTRO for that purpose.[2] Launched in March 2007, it was operated for four months, and then deactivated in orbit.

ASTRO 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.[3] The launch was contracted by the Space Test Program to launch the STPSat-1 spacecraft, and was named STP-1. It also deployed NEXTSat; as well as FalconSAT-3, CFESat and MidSTAR-1.[2] The launch marked the first time United Launch Alliance had launched an Atlas V, the type having previously been operated by International Launch Services.

ASTRO was a 2,100-pound (950 kg) spacecraft, which was built by Boeing.[4] It had a robotic arm, approx 4 metres when extended.[4] It was able to transfer hydrazine to other satellites/NEXTSat.[4]

It was operated in low Earth orbit. On 9 March 2007, it had a perigee of 490 kilometers (300 mi), an apogee of 498 kilometers (309 mi), 46.0 degrees of inclination, and an orbital period of 94.49 minutes.[1]

After completing operations, the ASTRO and NEXTSat spacecraft were separated, and ASTRO performed a separation burn. On 21 July 2007, ASTRO was deactivated.[5] It re-entered on October 25, 2013 (UTC).[6]

References

  1. ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  2. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "ASTRO". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Walker, Jan. "Orbital Express Fact Sheet" (PDF). DARPA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  5. ^ Clark, Stephen (23 July 2007). "Satellite in-space servicing demo mission a success". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  6. ^ "ASTRO". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-24.


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