TacSat-6 is a U.S. military experimental technology and communication satellite. The Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORS) funded the launch that was performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).

TacSat-6
Mission typeTechnology, Communications
OperatorOperationally Responsive Space Office,
SMDC
COSPAR ID2013-072M Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.39473
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTacSat-6
Bus3U CubeSat
ManufacturerUnited States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)
Launch mass5 kg (11 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date6 December 2013, 07:14:30 UTC
RocketAtlas V 501 (AV-042)
Launch siteVandenberg, SLC-3E
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude462 km (287 mi)
Apogee altitude889 km (552 mi)
Inclination120.50°
Period90.0 minutes

The spacecraft was launched on 6 December 2013, at 07:14:30 UTC, on a Atlas V 501 launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, SLC-3E.

Mission

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TacSat-6 is equipped that can be used for any combination of communications. Part of its capability is rapid (within 24 hours) reallocation to different theaters worldwide, in support of unexpected operations. Command and control of TacSat-6 is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).

Design

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All TacSat satellites are designed to demonstrate the ability to provide real-time data collected from space to combatant commanders in the field.[2]

The spacecraft bus was built by United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).

References

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  1. ^ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  2. ^ Ferster, Warren (7 November 2005). "U.S. Air Force Payload for TacSat 4". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.