. 24/7 Space News .
Swales-Designed Carrier Launches First XSS-10 Microsat From Delta 2

The XSS 10 microsat
Beltsville - May 29, 2003
It's small. It's hardly noticeable. And in actuality, it hitches a ride on a larger rocket. Yet, a Swales Aerospace-designed secondary launch carrier known as SCONCE, is proving to be an essential link in demonstrating that autonomous space systems may be able to operate safely near other orbiting objects in space.

SCONCE, named because of its resemblance to a candlestick or wall mounted light fixture, successfully carried the first XSS-10 micro-satellite on an Air Force Delta II rocket launched from Cape Canaveral in late January.

Sixteen hours after launch, the XSS-10 was successfully ejected from the SCONCE, marking the first in a series of planned micro-satellite experiments.

These new satellites are now being flown under the XSS Micro-Satellite Demonstration Project managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), at Kirtland AFB, NM.

About the size of a Buick transmission and weighting only 62 pounds, the small XSS-10 spacecraft is "a very significant advancement in space research and development," said Thom Davis, XSS-10 program manager at the AFRL.

Swales Aerospace was selected by the AFRL to design, develop, fabricate, assemble, test and integrate the micro-satellite carrier system with the XSS- 10. The first operational system was delivered to the Air Force in late 2001 after approximately one year of design and development.

"Basically, SCONCE is a straight forward and inexpensive launch carrier which enables smaller payloads to hitch a ride with larger payloads," explained Tom Wilson, CEO of Swales Aerospace.

"We view this concept as a promising new business area for Swales as the industry constantly seeks new launch capability at realistic cost savings."

After being ejected from the Delta II, the XSS-10 spent approximately eight hours flying a series of station keeping maneuvers with the help of a small television camera.

The micro-satellite flew within 100 meters of the second-stage booster of the Delta II rocket and transmitted images to the ground from a low-Earth orbital position 800 kilometers above the equator.

According to one industry observer, the successful XSS-10 mission clearly demonstrated that a small autonomous spacecraft can be operated in close proximity to other spacecraft in orbit, a fact which holds significant promise for the satellite industry as a whole.

Related Links
Swales Aerospace
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

Microsat Systems Surpasses Expectations For Techsat 21
Denver - Apr 30, 2003
MicroSat Systems Inc. (MSI) recently completed rigorous structural and dynamics testing of the TechSat 21 satellite bus, setting a new industry standard for rapid development, test and integration.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.