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Delta 2 rocket puts military experiment into space BY JUSTIN RAY SPACEFLIGHT NOW Posted: June 21, 2006 Updated: Fixing a couple of typos
The Micro-Satellite Technology Experiment, or MiTEx, was successfully delivered into space by Boeing's workhorse Delta 2 rocket. Launch from pad 17A occurred at 6:15 p.m. EDT (2215 GMT) after a short delay to clear both a technical issue with the payload and any boats from the restricted waters under the rocket's flight path. The swift half-hour ascent by the three-stage rocket put MiTEx into an elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit to mark the 67th consecutive successful Delta 2 mission dating back to 1997 and the 120th success overall in 122 flights since 1989. The Delta's job has been completed but the year-long missions for the two 500-pound micro-satellites of MiTEx can't begin quite yet. The miniature spacecraft are relying on their Naval Research Laboratory-developed upper stage rocket motor to boost them from the current launch orbit to the final destination -- a circular geostationary orbit over the equator. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Air Force and Navy have collaborated to fly this space mission to test technologies that could be incorporated in future military programs. MiTEx will prove whether the technologies -- for satellites and upper stages -- are deemed worthy or simply need more work. According to information about MiTEx provided to Spaceflight Now by DARPA officials, the major goals of the project include:
The new upper stage burns monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. It is equipped with a 90-pound-force engine as well as a half-dozen five-pound-force engines. Specific technologies being tested on the stage include:
Geostationary orbit is the home of government and commercial communications satellites, plus spy spacecraft for eavesdropping reconnaissance missions and missile-launch detection.
"The satellites will conduct a variety of experiments in autonomous operations and maneuvering and station-keeping. MiTEx will also demonstrate the ability to launch multiple small satellites into GEO orbit," according to DARPA officials. Orbital Sciences built one satellite and Lockheed Martin the other. "Since (they were) built by different companies, they are not identical, but both will investigate and demonstrate high payoff technologies. Immediately after release, the spacecraft will commence independent operations," DARPA officials said. Meanwhile, the Delta launch team has little time to savor Wednesday's success. About 60 workers and managers involved in the MiTEx liftoff must get in position to support next Tuesday's Delta 4 rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. That classified liftoff carrying a national security spy satellite will happen sometime between 7 and 9 p.m. local time (10 p.m. - 12 a.m. EDT). For the rest of the Cape crew, assembly of another Delta 2 rocket is underway at pad 17B to launch NASA's STEREO solar observing probes July 22. The first stage and some of its strap-on solid boosters have been erected at the pad. Now that MiTEx is on its way, preparations for STEREO can proceed in full force. "We've taken a break in the action while we get MiTEx (launched). Everything is secured and we're ready to resume STEREO the day after we launch MiTEx," Rick Navarro, Boeing's director of Delta launch operations, said in an interview this week. Pad 17A will be cleaned up from the MiTEx launch and readied to support the next Global Positioning System satellite liftoff currently planned for September. "Busy and exciting times," Navarro said. |
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Tony Ceccacci, the lead shuttle flight director for STS-121, provides a highly informative day-by-day preview of Discovery's mission using animation and other presentations. Then Rick LaBrode, the lead International Space Station flight director during STS-121, explains all of the activities occurring onboard and outside the outpost while Discovery visits.
Dial-up: 
Discovery's STS-121 mission to the International Space Station will feature two scheduled spacewalks and perhaps a third if consumables permit. Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers will test whether the 50-foot inspection boom carried on the shuttle could be used as a work platform for repairing the heatshield and conduct maintenance chores outside the space station. Tomas Gonzalez-Torres, the mission's lead spacewalk officer, details all the three EVAs in this pre-flight news briefing.
The five men and two women who will launch aboard space shuttle Discovery's STS-121 mission to the International Space Station met the news media June 8 at the Johnson Space Center for the traditional pre-flight briefing. The crew is led by commander Steve Lindsey, with pilot Mark Kelly, mission specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers, and station Expedition flight engineer Thomas Reiter.
A comprehensive series of press briefings for space shuttle Discovery's upcoming STS-121 begins with a program overview conference by Wayne Hale, NASA's manager of the shuttle program, and Kirk Shireman, the deputy program manager of the International Space Station. The two men discuss the significance of Discovery's mission to their respective programs. The briefing was held June 8 at the Johnson Space Center.
NASA officials unveil the plan to distribute work in the Constellation Program for robotic and human moon and Mars exploration. This address to agency employees on June 5 was given by Administrator Mike Griffin, Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Scott Horowitz and Constellation Program Manager Jeff Hanley.
Following their announcement on the Exploration work assignments to the various NASA centers, Mike Griffin, Scott Horowitz and Jeff Hanley hold this news conference to answer reporter questions.
The Boeing Delta 4 rocket launches from pad 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with the GOES-N spacecraft, beginning a new era in weather observing for the Americas.
VIDEO:
DELTA 2 ROCKET LAUNCHES WITH MITEX 
