Military microsatellite looks in on spacecraft

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Space toolbox
Clearly, the XSS-11 can be viewed as technologically trial-running military space control objectives. The ability to snuggle up next to an enemy satellite, disable sensors, or even destroy an aggressor’s spacecraft could well benefit from XSS-11 lessons learned.

"We’re a lab. Our job is to demonstrate technologies," Baker responded. The job of XSS-11 is to add another tool to the toolbox that military space commanders can consider incorporating, he said.

"There are a number of possibilities for servicing, inspection, repair … there’s just a wide list," Baker stated. In this regard, the XSS-11 team has been working with officials plotting the future of the Hubble Space Telescope, he said.

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Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company near Denver is studying and developing Hubble servicing and deorbit options. They are also the Air Force laboratory’s structure, propulsion and systems support contractor for XSS-11.

Best-behaved satellite
How sensors are performing with the XSS-11’s guidance, navigation and control system is a key focus of the laboratory's ground support complex. Thirty to 40 people now are carrying out experimental operations with XSS-11.

The objective of the program is to get that down to a handful of people, on the order of five individuals, Baker added. "But we have to get through the demonstration first."

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"This is probably been the best-behaved satellite that I’ve ever worked on," Baker said. "I mean it’s right on the money … a fairly easy satellite to learn."

From concept to launch of the XSS-11 was a fast-paced 39 months. Total program cost, including launch and mission operations, is price-tagged at about $80 million, Baker explained. When XSS-11’s onboard fuel falls close to empty, he said, the plan is to use the last of the propellant to meet a deorbit criteria.

Icing on the cake
XSS-11 is building upon a predecessor mission, the flight of XSS-10. That spacecraft flew a 20-hour mission in late January 2003, inspecting and navigating around the Delta 2 second stage that placed XSS-10 into orbit.

Confidence-building use of the XSS-11 during its projected 18-month lifetime, Baker said, should allow ground handlers to delegate more and more authority to the spacecraft itself —enabling the craft to fully engage its autonomous planner.

"As we go through the mission plan — hopefully, by the end of it — we can take all the go/no-go’s out, tell it where we want it to go, what we want it to do, and watch it do it," Baker said. "That’s really icing on the cake."

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