So launch deal was apparently signed between NovaWurks and Spaceflight Inc for a late 2015 launchhttp://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/12/09/54124/#more-54124They are not showing which launcher thoughhttp://spaceflightservices.com/manifest-schedule/This is very much the satlet demo mission though, not a whole lot of servicing
The mission will be the first for Sherpa, a free-flying secondary payload dispenser equipped with its own power, propulsion and pointing systems, according to Curt Blake, Spaceflight’s president. It is designed to launch as a piggyback payload and, after separating from its carrier rocket, deploy as many as five satellites, each weighing up to 300 kilograms, in their desired orbits.Blake declined to name the rocket that will launch the tug on its maiden flight except to say that it will be a U.S. commercial mission. Spaceflight, which arranges rides for piggyback payloads on various rockets, has previously said it planned to demonstrate Sherpa on flights of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launcher. - See more at: http://spacenews.com/darpa-satlets-to-fly-on-sherpas-debut-mission/#sthash.WC84bsxF.dpuf
On Tuesday, Seattle-based launch broker Spaceflight announced that it has signed an agreement to carry Phoenix’s first spacecraft. It’s slated to launch some time in the third quarter of 2015 as a secondary payload on a rocket. Although Spaceflight has not yet identified the rocket provider for this launch and could not discuss it, I have been told by several people that the mission will go up on a SpaceX Falcon 9.http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/darpas-satellite-revival-program-gears-up-for-first-launch
It'll be cool to see NovaWurks satlets fly. The building a spacecraft out of modular lego bricks does come with costs, but does also allow you to do some interesting things that they haven't been able to do so far.~Jon
NSF friends can someone just give a very simple idea what DARPA is looking for here?As I see it.....the USAF had a Servicing program it was called the Space Shuttle and they walked away from that program.
NSF friends can someone just give a very simple idea what DARPA is looking for here?As I see it.....the USAF had a Servicing program it was called the Space Shuttle and they walked away from that program.So is this just about costs?