The Air Force Space Command’s (AFSPC) Tactical Satellite 3 (TacSat-3) ended operations after it de-orbited into and burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere, according to an Air Force statement.
TacSat-3 was the first on-orbit Defense Department intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability delivered to U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) for its direct imagery support to worldwide combatant commanders, according to the statement.
TacSat-3, which exceeded its expected lifespan by 20 months, was originally designed and launched as a one-year experimental satellite on May 19, 2009, according to the service statement. Although not designed as an operational asset, due to its longevity and potential to provide operational support to the warfighter, it transitioned to an operational asset June 12, 2010, and ended its operational mission Feb. 15 this year.
ATK [ATK] was the prime contractor for the spacecraft bus, the company said in a statement. The bus included the on-board command and data handling system, electrical power system, spacecraft bus primary structure and interfaces to the launch vehicle and payload.