[SatNews] Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) joins the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in marking the one year anniversary of a successful mission for the Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3). The Air Force has announced that it is extending the mission and transitioning the spacecraft from experimental to operational status.

TacSat-3’s mission is to demonstrate capability to conduct hyperspectral imaging that is responsive to the needs of U.S. warfighters. The spacecraft is a pioneer of the emerging Operationally Responsive Space program, which was designed to meet the growing need of U.S. forces for flexible, affordable and responsive satellite systems. ATK built and designed the spacecraft bus, which met the TacSat program goals of being operationally responsive, low-cost and high performance. ATK, as the spacecraft bus prime contractor, provided the complete bus system, which included the onboard command and data handling system, solar arrays, spacecraft bus primary structure and interfaces to the launch vehicle and payload.


ATK also developed the spacecraft bus platform for the soon to be launched ORS-1 satellite system. The ORS-1 Space Vehicle will be launched later this year and, like TacSat-3, is focused on using small satellites and launch vehicles to provide innovative and rapid remote sensing solutions to commanders in the battlefield. The TacSat-3 program is a joint effort of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Development and Test Wing, the Department of Defense’s ORS Office, and the Office of Naval Research.