Air Force Cadet's Built Microsat Ready For Launch

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS

FalconSAT-2 (pictured) was originally slated for launched aboard a space shuttle in early 2003. But the Columbia disaster put that launch on hold until recently.

US Air Force Academy CO (SPX) Nov 22, 2005
Cadets will watch their engineering efforts blast into space in a launch televised live to the Air Force Academy.

The cadet-built satellite FalconSAT-2 is scheduled for launch on Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. MST from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site on Kwajalien Atoll, in the Marshall Islands.

Once the satellite is released into orbit by the commercial rocket, cadets will then take the controls via the Academy's ground control station and gather scientific data.

This satellite is a product of the Academy's Space Systems Research Center.

The center runs a multi-disciplinary two-semester astronautical engineering course where cadets put theory into practice by designing and constructing a small satellite for Department of Defense research programs.

The satellite's research mission is to measure space plasma phenomena in the lower ionosphere, which can adversely affect space-based communications, including the Global Positioning System and other civil and military communications.

FalconSAT-2 was originally slated for launched aboard a space shuttle in early 2003. But the Columbia disaster put that launch on hold until recently.

Meanwhile, the Space Systems Research Center's cadets are busy constructing the flight model of the center's fourth satellite, FalconSAT-3.

That satellite has a launch date of September, 2006. Cadets are also beginning conceptual design for a fifth Air Force Academy satellite during this academic year.

Two previous small satellites - FalconGold and FalconSAT-1 - were launched in 1997 and 2000 on research missions.

The Air Force Academy is one of only two educational institutions where undergraduates can design and construct small satellites and have their work launched into space for real-world research missions.

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS

USJFCOM To Participate In I/ITSEC

By JOC(SW/AW) Chris Hoffpauir
Norfolk VA (SPX) Nov 16, 2005
U.S. Joint Forces Command will participate in the 2005 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), which begins Nov. 28 in Orlando, Fla.

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.