| Mission type | Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | USAFA |
| COSPAR ID | 2010-062E |
| SATCATno. | 37226 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 180 kilograms (400 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 November 2010, 01:25:00 (2010-11-20UTC01:25Z) UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Minotaur IV/HAPS F3 |
| Launch site | KodiakLP-1 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 633 kilometres (393 mi)[2] |
| Apogee altitude | 654 kilometres (406 mi)[2] |
| Inclination | 71.90 degrees[2] |
| Period | 97.60 minutes[2] |
| Epoch | 20 November 2010[2] |
USA-221, also known asFalconSat-5, is an American militaryminisatellite, which was launched in 2010. The fifthFalconSat spacecraft to be launched, it carries four technology development andionospheric research experiments. The satellite was constructed and is operated by theUnited States Air Force Academy.
USA-221 is a 180-kilogram (400 lb) spacecraft, measuring 70 centimetres (28 in) by 64 centimetres (25 in) by 54 centimetres (21 in).[3] It operates in alow Earth orbit with anapogee of 654 kilometres (406 mi), aperigee of 633 kilometres (393 mi), and 72 degrees oforbital inclination.[2]
TheSpace Plasma Characterization Source (SPCS) studies how a cold gas ammonia thruster and aHall effect thruster behave in space, and how they affect the spacecraft's surroundings. Meanwhile, theWafer-Integrated Spectrometer, WISPERS, will observe the plume generated by the Hall thruster, allowing a comparison to be made to theoretical data. The other two experiments will study the Earth's ionosphere.SmartMESA, the Smart Miniaturized Electrostatic Analyzer, was designed to record the ion density of the ionosphere, as well as the temperature, to allow a study of how temperature affects ion density. It is a reflight of the original SmartMESA mission, which was lost whenFalconSat-2 failed to achieve orbit. TheReceiver UHF/VHF Signal Strength, or RUSS, experiment, is intended to receive radio signals in theUHF andVHF bands, to determine the levels and effects of ionospheric interference.[4]
SmartMESA, also known as the Integrated Miniaturized ElectroStatic Analyzer, and WISPERS were respectively ranked as the 26th and 31st most important experiments for DoD satellites in 2006, by the USSpace Experiments Review Board.
USA-221 was launched fromPad 1 of theKodiak Launch Complex, using aMinotaur IV carrier rocket with aHAPS upper stage; however USA-221 was deployed prior to ignition of the HAPS stage. The Minotaur was launched at 01:25:00 UTC on 20 November 2010,[1] with FalconSat-5 separating into its low Earth orbit just over 25 minutes later.
The launch also carriedSTPSat-2,FASTSAT andNanoSail-D2,FASTRAC,O/OREOS, andRAX.[1] Collectively, the deployment mission was designated STP-S26, and marked the third flight of the Minotaur IV.
