Author Topic: Identification needed: unknown spacecraft model  (Read 3165 times)

Offline Skyrocket

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Identification needed: unknown spacecraft model
« on: 02/28/2008 01:37 pm »
Hi,

i've received a request for identification of an model of a spacecraft or probably of a kinetic kill vehicle, but i have no idea, what this spacecraft is. Perhaps someone here knows someting about this model.

Quote
Attached are some pictures of a satellite model that came from my
father-in-law, when he died.  He worked for Aerospace Corp, here in
Los Angeles, but the satellite could be also be from Hughes.  I am
just guessing here, because he rarely spoke about his work.  All
labels and markings have been intentionally removed from the model,
which is at least 10 years old, perhaps much older.

The model is very well made, all metal except for what appears to be
an imaging lens at the top.  There are several maneuvering thrusters,
but no solar panels.  I thought it might be some kind of SDI kinetic
energy kill vehicle, but that is pure speculation.  Do you recognize
this and can you tell me what it is?

Thank you very much for your time and assistance.

Images courtesy of John Aldaz


Offline Skyrocket

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Offline Jirka Dlouhy

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Re: Identification needed: unknown spacecraft model
« Reply #3 on: 02/28/2008 08:14 pm »
It looks like Brilliant Pebbles program body?

Offline Rusty_Barton

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RE: Identification needed: unknown spacecraft model
« Reply #4 on: 02/28/2008 08:39 pm »
I wonder if it's an early prototype of a LEAP kinetic warhead?
The propellant tanks, thrusters and cold gas attitude jets appear
to be similar.


Offline simonbp

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Re: Identification needed: unknown spacecraft model
« Reply #5 on: 02/28/2008 09:39 pm »
Yeah, it's definitely a kill vehicle of some sort. I'm dubious, though, that the top part is a lens; it's more likely the top part of the electronics box. I'd say it's likely that there was some sort of imaging system on top that was removed when the model was "sanitised"...

Simon ;)

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