STPSat-2 Completes Experimental Mission

The STPSat series of satellites successfully prove the concept of standard interface vehicles for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Development & Test Directorate (SMC/SD). The operational mission for STPSat-2, which launched on Nov. 19, 2010, has been extended for an additional year. Under contract to the SD at Kirtland Air Force Base, Ball Aerospace will continue to provide space vehicle support to the satellite through Feb. 1, 2013.

The STPSat-2 spacecraft provides a standard interface, which is able to support a variety of experimental and risk reduction payloads at different low-Earth orbits and is compatible with multiple launch vehicles. The flight-proven Ball Configurable Platform 100 (BCP-100) standard interface bus can accommodate up to four independent payloads with separate power and data interfaces.

"The STPSat-2 provides the affordable and resilient space capability the Air Force is looking for," says David L. Taylor, Ball Aerospace president and CEO. "Following a flawless first year on-orbit, this game-changing spacecraft has proven to be an outstanding collaboration between Ball and the Air Force."

The three payloads aboard STPSat-2 continue to operate nominally. STPSat-3, an identical spacecraft to STPSat-2 Ball Aerospace is now complete. STPSat-3 is expected to launch in 2013 aboard a Minotaur I.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions for national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications.