Subscribe with SteadyASTEC 1, 2 (P-11 4414, 4415)
ASTEC [USAF]
The ASTEC satellites were built on the P-11 series busses and carried an active 3-axis attitude control system to keep the satellite solar array panels continuously pointing toward the sun. It was designed to expose material samples to the Sun and measure degradation.
Both satellites were not launched as the manufacturer did not get the attitude control system working, leading to the cancellation of the contract.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | US Air Force (USAF) |
| Contractors: | Lockheed (bus) |
| Equipment: | ? |
| Configuration: | P-11 bus |
| Propulsion: | Kick motor |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | 9 months |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTEC 1 (P-11 4414) | - | not launched | Va | with ? | ||
| ASTEC 2 (P-11 4415) | - | not launched | Va | with ? |
Launch Sites:
- Va = Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA
References:
- Informant G (name withheld): Private communications
Further Program Jupiter P-11 "Subsatellite Ferret" missions:
P-11 based SIGINT (Program Jupiter / P-989) missions
- Arroyo (P-11 4427)
- Facade (P-11 4410)
- Fanion 1, 2 / Tripos 1, 2 (P-11 4402, 4406)
- Fanion 3 / Slewto (P-11 4408)
- Farrah 1, 2 (P-11 4433, 4434)
- Farrah 3, 4, 5 (P-11 5103,..., 5105)
- Lampan 1, 2 / Sampan 2, 3 (P-11 4411, 4417)
- Leige / Plicat (P-11 4404)
- Mabeli (P-11 4424)
- Magnum (P-11 4403)
- Noah's Ark (P-11 4301)
- Pundit 1, 2, 3 (P-11 4001, 4101, 4102)
- Pundit 4 (P-11 4401)
- Raquel 1, 1A, 2 (P-11 4429, 4432)
- Sampan 1 / Sousea 1 (P-11 4405)
- Savant 1, 2 (P-11 4409, 4419)
- Step Thirteen / Plymouth Rock 3 (P-11 4302)
- Tivoli 1, 2, 3 (P-11 4412, 4418, 4422)
- Tophat 1, 2 (P-11 4423, 4428)
- Tripos 3, 4 / Sousea 2, 3 (P-11 4420, 4421)
- Ursala 1, 2, 3, 4 (P-11 4425, 4426, 4430, 4431)
- Vampan 1 (P-11 4413)
- Weston (P-11 4407)
