. Earth Science News .
LockMart's NRO X-Bird Launched
 Denver - October , 1998 - The Lockheed Martin Astronautics-built Space Technology Experiment (STEX) satellite was successfully launched this morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Astronautics built the satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). It was launched by a Taurus rocket.

This is the first satellite the NRO has publicly identified and acknowledged before launch. The NRO is the U.S. government agency responsible for reconnaissance satellites.

The 1,540 pound (699 kg) STEX is designed to demonstrate 29 high performance spacecraft technologies in orbit. Many of the components are less expensive, more efficient and lighter weight than comparable systems on existing satellites and may be used to improve or enhance both military and civilian spacecraft.

"By leveraging the technologies demonstrated by STEX, we expect to enable spacecraft manufacturers and the government to improve the performance of overhead intelligence collection systems and other spacecraft while reducing costs," said Dr. Raymond S. Colladay, president of Lockheed Martin Astronautics.

Among the STEX experiments are:

  • A new mechanism designed to significantly reduce the shock the spacecraft experiences when it is separated from the rocket that launched it.
  • A Russian "Hall effect" Xenon electric propulsion system that provides orbit adjustments more efficiently than traditional chemical propulsion systems.
    • An experiment that will deploy a 3.7 mile-long (six km) tether to investigate the potential use of such devices in space. For example, satellites may be able to raise and lower their orbits using tethers.
    • An advanced star tracker the satellite uses to determine its position in space by referencing the location of preselected stars. This model is smaller, lighter, faster, more precise and more capable than previous units.
    • High density nickel-hydrogen batteries designed to be lighter weight, last longer and provide more energy.
    • High efficiency solar arrays featuring reflectors that concentrate the sun's energy on the panels, providing electrical power more efficiently, at a lower cost and with reduced weight.
    • A solid state data recorder using the most dense memory in production today.
    • Light weight composite structures with integrated thermal control.
    • A high performance computer with high density data storage.

    The cost of the STEX mission is less than $90 million, including launch costs and ground support. Astronautics developed and built STEX at the company's facility near Denver, Colo., for the NRO's Advanced Systems and Technology directorate in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab and the Naval Research Lab.

    Astronautics is one of the operating units of Lockheed Martin's Space & Strategic Missiles Sector headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Astronautics designs, develops, tests and manufactures a variety of advanced technology systems for space and defense. Chief products include planetary spacecraft and other space systems, space launch systems and ground systems.

  • NRO
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