{"id":38050,"date":"2019-05-05T22:59:10","date_gmt":"2019-05-05T14:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/rocket-lab-launches-stp-27rd-test-satellite-trio-for-the-dod\/"},"modified":"2019-05-05T22:59:10","modified_gmt":"2019-05-05T14:59:10","slug":"rocket-lab-launches-stp-27rd-test-satellite-trio-for-the-dod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/rocket-lab-launches-stp-27rd-test-satellite-trio-for-the-dod\/","title":{"rendered":"Rocket Lab launches STP-27RD test satellite trio for the DoD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rocket Lab launched their Electron rocket for its second launch of 2019. In its sixth overall mission, Electron launched the SPARC-1, Falcon ODE, and Harbinger satellites into orbit, as part of the Space Test Program (STP). The launch took place at 6:00 UTC, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (LC-1) in New Zealand, following a day\u2019s delay for additional payload checks.\n<\/p>\n

Like all Electron missions, the rocket itself has received a special name. This rocket is named That\u2019s a Funny Looking Cactus, <\/em>for the deserts of New Mexico \u2013 where the STP is based.<\/p>\n

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The mission patch for Electron\u2019s latest mission \u2013 via Rocket Lab<\/p>\n

The STP is part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), and ensures that potential launch and satellite platform providers will be able to meet the needs of government customers.<\/p>\n

The payloads for this mission \u2013 SPARC-1, Falcon ODE, and Harbinger \u2013 are three tech demonstration satellites. Together, STP-27RD made for the heaviest payload launched on Electron to date \u2013 over 180kg.<\/p>\n

To insert the satellites into a precise orbit, this mission included Rocket Lab\u2019s Curie engine-powered kick stage. The specific orbit has not been made public, although it is known to be a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).<\/p>\n

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Payload integration in Electron\u2019s fairing, which took place on April 30. Credit: Rocket Lab.<\/p>\n

SPARC-1 is a joint Swedish-American project, sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL\/RV). It will test miniaturized avionics, software radio systems, and carries a visible light camera to study space situational awareness concepts. It is a 6U CubeSat, and will be able to switch communication frequencies when needed.\n<\/p>\n

Falcon ODE is sponsored by the United States Air Force Academy and will assist in testing ground-based tracking of space objects. It is a 1U CubeSat \u2013 only 10cm across on every side, the definition of a \u201cU\u201d for CubeSats \u2013 and will release two steel ball bearings to test and calibrate ground tracking devices.<\/p>\n

Harbinger is a small commercial satellite built by York Space Systems and will demonstrate that York\u2019s S-CLASS satellite platform \u2013 and small satellites in general \u2013 can meet the needs of a government customer.<\/p>\n

NASA educational resources<\/path>Space Shuttle models<\/path>Space tourism guides<\/path>\n

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At around 150kg, it was the heaviest payload ever launched on Electron \u2013 and made up most of the 180kg total mission mass. It carried an X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which can provide Earth observation data at any time \u2013 regardless of cloud cover.<\/p>\n

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The Harbinger satellite. Credit: York Space Systems.<\/p>\n

The Electron launch countdown began at T-6 hours, when the road to the launch site was closed off. At T-4 hours, the vehicle was raised vertical by the strongback, and filled with RP-1 fuel. Launch pad personnel left the area at T-2 hours 30 minutes, and liquid oxygen (LOX) loading began at T-2 hours.<\/p>\n

At T-18 minutes, the launch director in mission control conducted a go\/no-go poll of all the flight controllers, to ensure that the Electron, launch pad, and payloads are ready for launch.<\/p>\n

At T-2 minutes, Electron\u2019s computers took over and initiated the launch sequence.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s a Funny Looking Cactus\u201d on the launch pad for a Wet Dress Rehearsal \u2013 essentially a fueling and mock countdown test. Credit: Rocket Lab<\/p>\n

The nine 3D-printed Rutherford engines on Electron\u2019s first stage ignited at T-2 seconds \u2013 and after a quick check of vehicle systems \u2013 Electron lifted off at T-0.<\/p>\n