DSX (SSTE-4, SET-1)

Launch data: Designation  44344 / 19036F Launch date  25 June 2019 - 06:30 UT Launch site  CCK, LC39A Launch vehicle  Falcon-Heavy (Block 5) Mission  Technology, Science Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  5998 x 12055 km Eccentricity   Inclination  42.2° Period  316.9 min

Spacecraft data:

Illustration of the DSX stowed spacecraft configuration (image credit: AFRL, SNC)

Description:

• The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is responsible for the development and execution of the DSX (originally Deployable Structures Experiment), now Demonstration & Science Experiments, also known as Space Science Technology Experiment (SSTE-4), a suite of four science payloads integrated onto a Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring based three axis stabilized satellite bus nominally slated for launch into a 6000 × 12000 km, 30 degree inclination Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) in the 2010 timeframe with one year required and three year desired operational capability.
• DSX comprises three main experiments:
  • 1.Wave Particle Interaction Experiment (WPIx): to understand the physical methods of VLF injection efficiency, transmission and propagation in the magnetosphere and effects on magnetospheric electrons;
  • 2.Space Weather Experiment (SWx): to characterize and model the space radiation environment in MEO, an orbital regime attractive for future DoD and commercial missions;
  • 3.Space Environmental Effects Experiment (SFx): to research and characterize the effects of radiation on spacecraft electronics and materials. This includes the SET-1 experiments.
• Unlike the traditional ESPA approach, in DSX the experiments and host spacecraft stay attached and do not deploy. After the primary satellite in the EELV is deployed, the DSX ESPA separates from the EELV 2nd stage booster to become a free-flyer spacecraft. To address the space access aspect of the rapid-response problem, DSX will utilize an EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) capability as a platform for highly-capable small and medium free-flying satellites (or ESPASats) that have plentiful and relatively inexpensive launch opportunities on EELV as secondary payloads.

External links:

• EOportal.org Satellite description
• NASA: Satellite Information
• Satellite tracking (n2ya.com): Real time satellite tracking