FASTSAT-HSV01 Developed By Dynetics and Partners Generates Science Data

Dynetics announced today that FASTSAT-HSV01 has successfully completed scheduled science operations for multiple payloads. Mission operations are managed and controlled at NASA’s Huntsville Operations Support Center in Huntsville, Ala. FASTSAT is a commercial satellite developed by Dynetics in partnership with the Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation (VCSI) and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville for the Department of Defense Space Test Program (DoD STP).

“Dynetics has provided spacecraft analysis support throughout the development and operations phase, including command development and verification, telemetry data analysis, planning and software updates. Significant science data has been collected through excellent teamwork with NASA’s mission operations team and the principal investigators,” said Mike Graves, Dynetics FASTSAT project manager.

The spacecraft launched on Nov. 19, 2010, carrying six payload experiments to low-Earth orbit. NASA’s Mini-Me and PISA instruments onboard the satellite are successfully performing science observations as the TTI instrument continues sensor optimization. FASTSAT demonstrated the deployment of a 3U CubeSat from a microsatellite on Jan. 20. The NanoSail-D nanosatellite deployed its 100-square-foot polymer sail in low-Earth orbit and is operating as planned. Additional payload operations are planned.

Dave King, Dynetics executive vice president, said: “This program represents an incredible government and commercial partnership. Dynetics made a substantial private investment to produce an affordable satellite in just 16 months. This success proves that we can offer a responsive, reliable system for a fraction of the traditional cost.”

Steve Cook, director of Dynetics Space Technologies division, said, “Dynetics has created additional spacecraft models and configuration options for future missions that offer increased capabilities to support a broad range of missions from technology demonstrations to gap-filling operational needs.”

This release was issued at the National Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs April 11-15