The Air Force Research Laboratory's(AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate has played akey role in the development and demonstrationof small satellites and their potential militaryutility. The Miniature Sensor TechnologyIntegration (MSTI)-1 launched in November1992 and followed by MSTI-2 and MSTI-3performed on-orbit functional demonstrations oflow-cost integrated sensor technologies. Thehighly successful Technology for AutonomousOperational Survivability (TAOS) launched in1994 implemented creative techniques for spacenavigation, survivability and supported AirForce's "Red Flag" exercises. Two MightySatexperiments developed and flown by AFRLfurther advanced the utility of small satellites.XSS-10 and XSS-11 demonstrated the ability toconduct proximity operations and autonomousnavigation paving the way for making on-orbitinspections for diagnostic purposes. Two currentprograms, TacSat-2 and TacSat-3 are planned forlaunch in 2006 and 2007 and are focused ondemonstrating small (<500kg), operationallyresponsive, low-cost satellite and launchcapabilities to support warfighter andintelligence needs under DoD's ResponsiveSpace initiative. This paper will review thetechnical approach and lessons learned fromprevious successful AFRL flight demonstrationsand look at the objectives for the upcomingprograms currently under development.
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