MiTEx
Mitex ( Mi cro Satellite T echnology Ex periment ; German microsatellite technology experiment ) is a satellite mission of the US military, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) , the Air Force and the Navy . The mission consists of two small satellites that are used to test new technologies. The satellites were developed and built by Lockheed Martin and Orbital Sciences Corporation .
The mission was launched on June 21, 2006 aboard a Delta II launcher in Cape Canaveral . An additional upper level developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) especially for this mission was used. The mission lasts a year, but since the course of the mission is subject to secrecy, little will be known about the results.
Some sources suspect that MiTEx could be a project to test technologies for attacking other satellites, or that the two satellites are already fully functional weapons. This is justified by the fact that the Department of Defense does not provide any information about the satellites (which is not unusual, however) and that the allegedly tested technologies are of little technical use. However, these assumptions should be viewed with skepticism.
technology
The mission consists of the MiTEx upper level and the two (not identical) satellites MiTEx-A and MiTEx-B. MiTEx-A was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, MiTEx-B by Lockheed Martin. The main aim of the two satellites was to test lightweight systems in the areas of propulsion, power supply and avionics , but also to test lighter structures. In addition, experiments were carried out with processors from series production and cheaper production and start preparation processes.
The satellites weigh about 230 kg each and are powered by two solar panels. The experiments carried out by the satellites run largely autonomously, as do the life support systems and navigation. The Delta II launcher placed the satellites in a geostationary transfer orbit , from where they were brought into geostationary orbit with the help of the MiTEx upper stage. The exact positions of the satellites are confidential.
The upper level was also used for the technology test. Novel attitude control nozzles and batteries, lightweight structures and fuel tanks, as well as mass-produced valves and navigation devices were used to test their suitability for future missions.
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- ↑ Background of The Space Review (Engl.)