ASTRO

Launch data: Designation  30772 / 07006A Launch date  09 Mar 2007 - 03:10 UT Launch site  CC, SLC-41 Launch vehicle  Atlas-5(401) (AV-013) Mission  Technology Earth orbit on Mar 9.19: Perigee / Apogee  490 x 498 km Inclination  46.03° Period  94.50 min

Spacecraft data: Prime contractor   Operator   Platform   Mass at launch  1089 kg Dry Mass  953 kg Basic shape  Octagonal cyl + 2 panels Dimension (m)  1.78 long, 1.75 across 5.60 span Solar array   Stabilization   DC power

26 Apr 2006 - Orbital Express ASTRO on test - Credit: Boeing

Decay: Descent date:  25 Oct 2013 Lifetime:

Description:

• This is a two-spacecraft mission to demonstrate the feasibility of autonomously servicing a satellite in space

Mission details:

• The US Air Force STP-1 mission was launched on Mar 9 at 03:10 UTC on Atlas V flight AV-013. It carries the Orbital Express mission with the two linked satellites ASTRO (Autonomous Space Transporter and Robotic Orbiter) and NextSat. ASTRO is a prototype servicing satellite, to demonstrate a refuelling mission with NextSat. Astro and NextSat remained attached to each other till 2007 April 17.7; separated and redocked several times. Astro/Nextsat were deployed to a 490 x 498 km x 46.0 deg orbit.
• STP-1 also carried the first ESPA (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter) ring with four smaller satellites attached. The US Naval Academy's Midstar-1 carries experimental spacecraft systems and was ejected into a 494 x 498 km x 46.0 deg orbit. The Centaur stage then made two burns to raise the orbit, entering a 397 x 3435 km x 44 deg 'fast transfer' orbit 34 min after launch and then a 557 x 560 km x 35.4 deg orbit 13 min later. The remaining three satellites (STPSat, Falcansat 3 and CFESat) were then deployed.
• Finally the Centaur stage was disposed of in a 500 x 545 km x 35.7 deg orbit.
• ASTRO turned of 2007 Jul 22.

Illustration shows the STP 1 payload, with Orbital Express above and the four smaller spacecraft mounted on separation ring. Credit: Air Force