TacSat-3

Infobox_Spacecraft
Name = TacSat-3


Caption = Computer model of TacSat-3
Organization = AFRL
Major_Contractors = Raytheon
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Mission_Type = Technology demonstrator
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Satellite_Of = Earth
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Launch = TBA (December 2008)
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Carrier_Rocket = Minotaur I
Launch_Site = Wallops Flight Facility
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Mass = kg to lb|400|abbr=yes
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TacSat-3 is the third in a series of U.S. military reconnaissance satellites. It is currently being assembled in a Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate facility at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. [cite web | url = http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/12/ondemand_intel_satellite_sensor_delivered/3096/ | title = On-demand intel satellite sensor delivered | publisher = AP] The TacSat satellites are all designed to demonstrate the ability to provide real-time data collected from space to combatant commanders in the field. TacSat-3 will include three distinct payloads: the ARTEMIS hyperspectral imager, the Ocean Data Telemetry Microsatellite Link and the Space Avionics Experiment. [cite web | url = http://www.afrl.af.mil/articles/040306_TacSat-3.asp | title = Responsive, flexible, and affordable satellite enhances support to warfighter | publisher = AFRL]

Launch on a Minotaur rocket is targeted for December 2008. [cite web | url = http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html| title = Launch Schedule | publisher = NASA]

References

Previous Mission: TacSat-2

Tactical Satellite Program

Next Mission: TacSat-4