GEARRS-2 (GEARRSAT 2)

Spacecraft nº:

US spacecraft nº:

Launch data: Designation  40657 / 15025G Launch date  20 May 2015 - 15:05 UT Launch site  CC, SLC-41 Launch vehicle  Atlas V-501 Mission  Communication, Technology Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  350? x 700? km Eccentricity   Inclination  55? ° Period   min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• One 3U CubeSat from Near Space Launch and Air Force Research Lab is the Globalstar Evaluation And Risk Reduction Spacecraft to demonstrate the use of the Globalstar constellation as a path for near continuous command and control of low-earth orbit space vehicles.

Mission details:

• On May 20, 2015 an Atlas V orbited an X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle into an unknown orbit.
• After releasing the X-37B, the Centaur AV-054 rocket stage reignited to reach a 355 x 700 km x 55-57 deg orbit and at around 17:00 UTC released a set of 9 cubesats. Centaur then made a third burn to deorbit itself over the Indian Ocean.
• GEARRS-2, the second 3U Globalstar Risk Reduction satellite from startup Near Space Launch (a Taylor U. spinoff) with AFRL to demo cubesat data relay via the Globalstar system.

External links:

• nearspacelaunch.net: Satellite Information