Trailblazer 2

USA

Launch data:

Designation	27609 / 02058E
Launch date	20 Dec 2002 - 17:00 UT
Launch site	B, LC109/95
Launch vehicle	Dnepr (#3)
Mission	Technology
Earth orbit:
Perigee/Apogee	650 km
Inclination	64.6°
Period	98 min

Mockup of a commercial lunar orbiter (aimed at sending personal items and ashes to the moon starting in Oct 2003). It is lead by TransOrbital Inc.

The mission was designed to test rocket separation, downlink telemetry, spacecraft orientation and mass properties in preparation for the formal lunar launch.

Specifications

Prime contractor
Platform
Mass at launch	420 kg
Mass in orbit
Dimension	2 m long?
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power
Design lifetime

Credit: ISC Kosmotras

Mission:

TrailBlazerTM is the first commercial lunar mission. It is designed to be an inexpensive precursor probe for a variety of commercial lunar missions, both those accomplished by TransOrbital, and those of other companies and space agencies. It is essentially a flying camera platform, carrying high-resolution video cameras, with the goal of returning scientific and artistic video throughout the mission.

External resources

http://www.transorbital.net/

Ref: #7, #15, #33 - update: 16.01.11