Dynetics… Nanosatellite’s 3U CubeSat Success (Satellites)

[SatNews] The multiple payloads aboard this spacecraft have science operations under control and completed…

Dynetics announced during the recent NSS event in Colorado Springs that FASTSAT-HSV01 has successfully completed scheduled science operations for multiple payloads. Mission operations are managed and controlled at NASA’s Huntsville Operations Support Center in Huntsville, Ala. FASTSAT is a commercial satellite developed by Dynetics in partnership with the Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation (VCSI) and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville for the Department of Defense Space Test Program (DoD STP). The spacecraft launched on Nov. 19, 2010, carrying six payload experiments to low-Earth orbit. NASA’s Mini-Me and PISA instruments onboard the satellite are successfully performing science observations as the TTI instrument continues sensor optimization. FASTSAT demonstrated the deployment of a 3U CubeSat from a microsatellite on Jan. 20. The NanoSail-D nanosatellite deployed its 100-square-foot polymer sail in low-Earth orbit and is operating as planned. Additional payload operations are planned.

Dave King, Dynetics executive vice president, said, “This program represents an incredible government and commercial partnership. Dynetics made a substantial private investment to produce an affordable satellite in just 16 months. This success proves that we can offer a responsive, reliable system for a fraction of the traditional cost.” Steve Cook, director of Dynetics Space Technologies division, said, “Dynetics has created additional spacecraft models and configuration options for future missions that offer increased capabilities to support a broad range of missions from technology demonstrations to gap-filling operational needs.”